80th Birthday Celebration

What a weekend. We drove to upstate NY to celebrate my Dad's 80th birthday. What a blessing he is to all of us. I rode in the car with Ethan (my grandson all of 2 1/2) my daughter Nicole, and my wife. Just shy of six hours--each way. Now let me say tight off--Ethan was great! It was good to have our daughter and grandson all to ourselves in the car. Was it fun? Well--I have to be very careful with that answer.

The birthday party was well attended by family, relatives, and friends from the church where Dad actively continues to minister. It was good to reconnect with everyone and to celebrate Dad's becoming an octogenarian--which I had to explain to some is a real word. It was a surprise party, and this picture was taken right as he realized the surprise party was for him. Fortunately, we did the party a couple days before his birthday. The participation by the members of the church in Etna, NY was fabulous. Everyone made the day special to Dad--and he is a real special guy. God is using him in ways he never imagined. It is good to take some time out and recognize the accomplishments people make and to get a sense of the number of people our lives touch. We can each make a difference--one person at a time.