Today would have been your 98th birthday. And because so many of us will always feel your presence, I want to celebrate the day you entered this world!
As your daughter, what I remember the most vividly is your love.
- Love of family. Exactly the way we were, flaws and all. No attempt to change anyone . . . ever. Even when our decisions were bad, you were a sincere supporter because the decisions were ours to make. You allowed us to learn.
- Love of Louise. The wife who was so different from you. The way you closed your business and devoted seven years to taking care of her was beautiful. Her Alzheimer’s disease was a gift to you both as it provided a closeness that was deeper than ever.
- Love of challenges. Throughout life you would start and stop smoking on designated days just to prove you had the willpower. Later in life, I watched you play the same hand on computer games over and over again until you won.
- Love of business. In spite of your engineering degree, you had a better idea. Buy goods at one price and sell for a profit. An honest way to make a living that kept you in contact with people every day.
- Love of people. The greatest gift you could ever receive was time to sit across the table with another person and simply visit.
- Love of adventure. Whether it was climbing Machu Picchu, boating down the Amazon, or driving from Texas to Alaska on your own in your late eighties . . . you did it all.
- Love of learning. You learned with the same enthusiasm as any adventure. Your children had to be desperate to ask for homework help because it entailed so much more than the simple answer we were seeking.
- Love of your God. You claimed she was your very own individual God, talked to her often, and had an outstanding relationship.
- Love of writing. For decades, you wrote your yearly books on any subject you wanted, had three hundred copies printed for your inner circle, and hand-delivered them.
If you are somewhere in this great universe that you can read, feel, or sense this message . . .
Happy Birthday. I love you.
Debbie, What a beautiful joyful message. Thank you for sharing it. I’m glad I met your Dad. My Mom would have been 97 on April 5th. It’s a reminder of the love and happy times we are blessed to remember…Thank you!
janice