Our Five Ring Circus: The BIG 7-0

Wednesday, January 6, 2010

The BIG 7-0

My dad turned 70 today. SEVENTY! I can't seem to wrap my mind around that number. He is so important to me, and is an amazing grandfather. The kids and I are incredibly lucky to have him in our lives.

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I'm feeling horribly guilty, because I didn't get to see him today. I think this is the first year, ever, that I haven't seen him on his birthday. That makes me sad.

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I tried. I really, truly planned on going to visit him today. I left 45 minutes before I had to be somewhere, just so I could pick up his gift card. What I didn't count on was the horrible driving conditions. The back roads that I had to drive on were treacherous. (Listen up Pennsylvania...take care of your roads.) I was sliding all over the place, nearly hit a salt truck (coming the other way, of course!), and then found out that the road that I needed to drive on was closed, due to a serious accident. By the time I got to where I needed to be, I didn't have time to pick up his gift card. Plus, after that driving experience, I had no urge to go back on the roads. So I didn't go. He understood. He always understands. But I feel guilty.

I definitely plan on celebrating his birthday with him on Friday. I'll try to make it as special as I possibly can. Dylan, Lexie, and I called him and sang "Happy Birthday" to him. I'm sure it made his day to hear his grandchildren sing to him. I still wish that I could have seen him today. I know I'm going to beat myself up about this for weeks!

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I'm not going to lie. I am having a really hard time with my dad aging. He has always been the strongest, most active man that I have ever known. He was always my rock. I never thought anything would slow him down. But over the past year, he has slowed down.

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It is so hard watching him age. He has aches and pains, and doesn't move as quickly as he once used to. He is complaining about the snow and the cold, and turns the heat up in the house. He's cranky. He doesn't have the energy to do as much with Dylan as he has in the past. I honestly hate it. I hate thinking of him as being elderly.

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I find myself wondering how much time we have left with him. I know the fact that he has been dealing with cancer (they were able to remove the tumor and he gets preventative treatments and frequent checkups) over the past year makes me worry more. I can't even stomach the thought of losing him, so I hate having this on my mind, especially as his 70th birthday neared.

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Now that I got this off my chest, I'm going to try to stay positive. Even at 70, my dad acts younger than what he really is. I do notice the signs of aging, but it's because he's never acted his age! He always says that age is just a number. I know he's right. No matter what the numbers say, he will always be my rock. He will always be there for me. He will always shower my kids with love. He will always be the strongest, most optimistic man I've ever known!

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My dad has led a long, happy, healthy life full of adventures. He has seen many places in this world, and has felt the love of 8 children and 19 grandchildren. He is blessed. And we are blessed to have him in our lives.

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Happy 70th Birthday, Dad! Here's to many, many more! We love you!

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8 comments:

  1. I hope your Dad had a very Happy Birthday. It was so sweet reading about the way you feel about him. I am sorry you weren't able to get out to see him. I hope you can see him soon.

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  2. Ahh, you have me in tears.

    Happy Birthday to Dad!

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  3. the roads are always bad near me too.

    happy birthday

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  4. have him read this...it will surely make his day!!!
    Happy Birthday to your sweet dad!

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  5. What a sweet dedication to your sweet dad. He sounds like a wonderful man!

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  6. Awww...what wonderful memories you have with your dad and him with your children. I wish more than anything that my kids could have known my parents. Cherish each moment with them. He sounds like such a wonderful man!!! Happy Birthday!

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  7. What a sweet post! Happy Birthday to your dad!

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  8. Happy birthday to your dad!! I hope you have a great time with him tomorrow.

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