80.

My new dad turned 80.   What has he done with all those years?   He’s loved hard and served huge.  He anythings for anybody.  He agrees, listens, encourages, yeses, supports, believes, assauges, reconciles.  That’s what he’s done.

80 is a big ol number.  It’s the biggest one in his original family, so he tells me.  His aortic valve is the strongest of them all, though not all that strong.  Yet God has granted him extras.

For me.

I hope that number gets bigger and bigger.   I hope he outnumbers me.   I may not pass him up, but I hope he doesn’t pass me by because I can’t imagine this figure-it-out life without him.  From where does my help come?   My help comes from the Lord the maker of Heaven and earth and of this helper father who helps me walk this road.   He walked his own road which is what helps him help me.

Happy birthday, best helper dad ever.   Bill and I both love you so much!   What an honor to celebrate you.