Today is my dad's 70th birthday. Please know when I say this, I say it only with amazement, but I can't believe that he's here to see this milestone! My dad has been steadily declining in health for the last several years, and has a variety of health issues.... the worst of which is Emphysema. He has outlived the doctors projections... not once..... but at least twice! He has the will of a bull (gee, I can't imagine where I got it from ;-) ) and when the man sets his mind to something, there is no changing. My dad turning 70 also marks his outliving his own mother, who died in her late 60's in her sleep in 1985 (the day after my own 10th birthday). I joked recently with my step-mom, Kim, that "knowing Dad, he'll "go out" on his favorite number...." (me & Dad in Feb, when I visited)
When Dad turned 69 he told everyone he knew how happy he was about being his favorite number. Sick perverted old man! (Yes, I said this to him just today even!) He's a retired cross country truck driver. Smoked 4 packs a day... every day..... for 40 some years or more. So no question where he got Emphysema. But he was "that" kinda guy. So seeing Dad hit this milestone was a relief for me, of sorts. I asked him what it felt like hitting another "big-oh" birthday, and he said back "well, I look forward to the next one too!". This is the first time in a LONG time I've heard something encouraging out of him. :) This is a picture of Dad and Kim where Dad spends most of his time. he's always been the kitchen table type....
Tho my relationship with my dad hasn't always been the best, he's still my dad. No denying it, unfortunately ;-) In oh so many ways I'm very much like my father (much to my mom's dismay). I am very much like his side of the family. Yep, I'm his kid. LOL At this stage in the game, every day is a gift with my dad.... With the will of that bull, who knows how long he'll be around ;-) We'll take what we can get!Happy 70th Birthday Dad!
I love you!
