Happy Birthday, Dad
Today is my dad’s birthday.
He’s 77 years old.
Most likely, my dad is older than your dad. My dad could even be older than your grandfather. I’ve dealt with this my entire life. During my school years, I would even flaunt his age like show and tell. I was very shy as a child and this was something safe to set me apart from the rest. Though he never appeared to me to be as old as he was. Even still, I can tell he’s getting older, just not that old.
My dad and I were never the closest growing up. Given his age, he has always been set in his ways and hard to talk to. He has a rough exterior, and I was afraid of making him mad at me. Thus, if I ever wanted to go out or do something, I would always ask my mom. If it was something that required my dad’s approval, she would ask him for me.
Growing up and moving out and having kids of my own, now, I can take a step back and see him for what he is. Yes, he is set in his ways. Yes, he is rough around the edges. But I also know that he loves me very much. And I love him.
I didn’t know what to get him for his birthday this year. What do you get a man that has 77 years worth of everything? So we made him dinner, with chocolate cake topped with two 7 candles. Because 77 individual candles might have burnt down the house.
He knows nothing about this space, but I still want to say happy birthday, dad. I hope there are many, many more.
I'm Crystal. A 30-something mom to 3 young kids living in the Midwest USA. When I'm not chasing my children, I'm a freelance writer and web designer. I like to tell stories from our days and share what we enjoy...
6 Responses
on March 08 2010
It’s interesting how it takes having kids of our own to understand our parents. My parents, who are indeed younger than your dad, asked me a few years ago to stop getting them anything for birthday and Christmas. Dinner is about all they want too.
.-= Marilyn @ A Lot of Loves´s latest blog post: Passion =-.
on March 08 2010
It’s a lovely tribute. Happy b’day to him!
on March 08 2010
Awww!! Happy Birthday!! What a great tribute post. I had a similar relationship with my Dad. He was always the disciplinarian in our household.
.-= Candace´s latest blog post: My Little Peanut =-.
on March 08 2010
Aw, what a sweet post. My Dad is 63, so I relate to the older Dad thing.
.-= Angella´s latest blog post: I Love You More =-.
on March 08 2010
Happy Birthday to your dad. Sounds like you two have made your relationship work for you (and I can tell it works well because there was chocolate cake involved!). =>
.-= Stacia´s latest blog post: My-my-my Poker Face =-.
on March 09 2010
Such a sweet tribute to your Dad! My Dad was always a bit of an enigma to me…he worked multiple jobs so my mom could stay home with us. I always felt closer to my mom growing up, for that reason. But I always knew he loved us so deeply, and now, as an adult, I understand how much he had to sacrifice to provide for us as he did.
.-= Crystal @ Semi-Crunchy Mama´s latest blog post: Reconnected =-.