This is one of the few & my favorite pictures I have of my father as a child. It's amazing what a picture can say. With one click of a camera you can capture life at that moment. I see this picture and I imagine a warm July day. Perhaps a light breeze in the air carrying the sweet smell of the summer. I try and imagine the music that would be playing, who they asked to take the picture, & the love and excitement they shared over their first son. I could get lost in these pictures as they tell this untold story of my fathers childhood. Though I don't have memories of my grandparents, I can imagine them through these pictures.
I imagine what they would have looked like as they grew older. Would they see similarities between my three sisters & I and themselves. Or maybe a smile from a great grandchild sparks a memory of my father as a child. Perhaps the way we speak, our disposition, or our manor reminds them of their son. I will never know, but through these pictures and the stories my father tells, I can imagine what life was like and what could have been. I only wish they could have seen what a wonderful dad their son turned out to be.
I would have loved to know more about my father in his younger years. Even so, I am grateful to have him as a father. I have so many wonderful things to say about him and the childhood he provided for my sisters and I. We love him dearly. I count myself blessed to have such loving parents. Not everyone can look back on their earlier years with a warm heart and a longing for that comfort of family and security we had. Everyday I strive to give my children the kind of childhood I was lucky enough to experience.
Happy Birthday Dad!
You are truly loved.
June 28th was my little sister Sally's birthday. Sally and I are the last two of four girls in our family. Sally and I enjoyed many good times together growing up. I couldn't have asked for a better little sister. We barely ever fought and most always were together. We didn't even need to speak to know what the other was thinking. In fact, we had secret codes and hand signals for things only we knew. (LP Sal? ;) We always knew how to make each other laugh. Needless to say, I look back on our friendship growing up and feel so blessed to have her as a sister. One of the hardest things for me was when Sally decided to move away to college and I had stayed home to attend one near by. It was hard to get used to (and still is at times) not having her always available to hang out and joke around with. How I miss those days:) Sally doesn't live too far away, just 30-45 minutes, so we still see each other when our schedules allow it. We still share that friendship and love it's just stretched longer over distance. Love you Sal! 
