It’s been a tough year for my father and once again, he’s battling some health issues. Today he turns 85, and I wanted to write something about him, because, well, I need to do so.
No doubt, my dad has made his share of mistakes, but he has the best outlook of anyone I know. “I don’t complain about my life,” he would say. “I’m where I am for a reason and even though things aren’t perfect, I have it better than most.”
Over the years he was a draftsman, a teacher, a businessman, a sales person and a delivery person. He worked until he was 82 years old. He’s a veteran. He’s well read. He’s artistic and he’s well-liked. He was a devoted husband and is a kind father.
He’s not having an easy time of it, but again, his good outlook comes through. He jokes with the nurses and the doctors and talks about going home. We were supposed to take him out to dinner tonight and he asked if he could take a raincheck so we can go when he turns 86. That’s a positive attitude and one we could all afford to adopt. Even now, he’s teaching me a lesson.
Happy Birthday, Daddy! May you have many more.
