HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!
March 4, is my father's 82nd birthday. He was born two months premature, was the 11th child in his family (and the last) and weighed only 4 pounds.
He attended college at the University of Utah where he studied business and was both the quarterback and kicker for the football team. How many of you can kick your leg that high?
Although a U of U football fan, he later had to divide his loyalties with BYU where he was a finance professor, undergraduate chairman in the Business Department and later Associate Dean of the Marriott School of Management.
Near the end of WWII he served in the Navy. This picture is my daughters' favorite. I guess even back then men were show offs. :-)
Dad served a mission to Argentina, and then many years later was called to be the mission president over the Central American Mission. This included Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama. I am the one standing on the left. This picture was taken at the end of our three years there and my oldest brother and sister had already graduated from high school and returned to Utah to attend college there. (One more sister was born after we returned home.)
Dad is always up for fun. In this picture we were crabbing in Alaska. I also have pictures of him kayaking last fall in the Jordan River in Israel, going down a water slide in Colorado and floating in the Dead Sea.
In later years he and my mother served as the temple president and matron of the Guatemala Temple. This picture was taken the day a stake came with their primary children.
And here are my parents together in front of the temple.
Dad's Favorites:
Anything blue
Fruit juices
Soup
text books, the scriptures, Louis L'amour books
Golf
BYU sports
Being a sealer in the Timpanogos Temple
His Family--of Course!
Most Likely To:
Be the first one at a meeting
Help anyone in need
Show up to every service project
Least Likely To:
Be late anywhere
Be dishonest
Be idle
Quick Story
A little over a year ago I attended a BYU football game with my dad. Due to no parking being available nearby, we had to park far away and walk to the stadium. Dad took off walking very briskly--so much so that I had to run to keep up with him.
I commented on how fast he walked and he replied, "Oh, I walk like this on the golf course with my friends every morning."
And then I realized there was a whole group of octogenarians out there who walk faster than I do!
That is so sad!
And The Best Birthday Gift of All
For my Dad's birthday present, after nearly four weeks in a hospital, my mother gets to go home! Due to suffering a stroke at some point during her surgery or soon afterwards, her recovery has been slow, but it is happening and we are very grateful for all the prayers that have been offered in her behalf.
12 comments:
I love this post! Those are such fun pictures of grandpa... I'm glad you posted them!
What a beautiful tribute to your wonderful dad -- he just glows in all those pictures. I'm so glad your mother is coming home, though I'm sad she's having a rough time.
What wonderful parents you have. I want to grow up to be just like them and I've never even met them! BYU is a great place to be. Glad your mom finally gets to go home. That's got to be the best birthday present of all for your dad.
A beautiful tribute to your father. He sounds like a wonderful man. I'm so glad your mom is doing well enough to come home. What a blessing. I loved seeing your family pictures-those stripped pants of your brothers. Classic!
Wow! Your dad has led a wonderful, fun life. What great memories he has made. I am so glad to hear your mom is coming home. I'll bet your dad is relieved to have her back.
Is it wrong to envy having a wonderful father as yours? My fav pic is the Navy pose--what a hoot!
He has had enough experiences for 2 lives!
Very impressive! Glad to hear your Mom is on the mend...Happy Birthday Lori's Dad!
I love the pictures! Grandpa is such a stud. No wonder I choose to go on more dates with him than any other guy.
ps- I LOVE the new festive background.
Glad your mom is feeling better! Your dad is just a few month's younger than my dad. B/c of wwII there aren't many men out there their age. My dad jogs every morning. I most certainly do not. He is amazing--it sounds like your dad is, too!
Ok, I learned a few things here! Cool.
By the way, my mother has inherited that fast walk. Amber and I always called it "The mall walk" because she always seemed in the biggest hurry there.
I'm so glad I found your blog. Sounds like you have an amazing family. Aren't families the best? Happy Birthday to your Dad, and well wishes an prayers for your mother. I'll be visiting again!
Oh that was so sweet and such a nice tribute about dad. I am going to steal it for my blog. You have a wonderful way of expressing yourself in such powerful words and emotions. I am glad you have such a great memory for details also.
Wow! Thank you so much for remembering my birthday. I feel so blessed to have friends (even those whom I have not met) who support and encourage! Thanks, and happy bday to your beautiful mother.
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