Thursday, April 23, 2009

HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO ME - A TRIBUTE TO MY PARENTS!!

Exactly....????? (use your imagination) years ago, I was born into the world. I have 2 of the best parents anyone could ask for. My Mom is one of 4 children and the only girl. Yes, she has all brothers. She had kind of a hard life. Her mother died of cancer when she was a teenager and she had to take care of her brothers. Several years later, her father was killed walking across the street by a man who was rushing to the hospital with his daughter. Her house burned down as a child and they lost everything. When she went to college she was very, very sick but still remained Valedictorian. She was a school teacher most of her life and a great mother to boot!!!!

My Dad is one of 6 children. He has one brother and all the rest are girls. He used to get so mad at his sisters for wearing his t-shirts because they would always come back to him with "bumps" in them - ha!!! From my grandmother's stories, he was a very obedient child and hard worker. Because of his character and hard work, he has been very successul in the business world but mostly in the parenting world.

They met on a blind date and were married 6 months later. They didn't wait too terribly long to have me because they were older and ready for a baby!!! My Dad was in the service at the time they were living in Colorado and was to go to Washington State when my Mom was very pregnant. She cried all night long begging to go with him when he finally said she could go. So I was born in Tacoma, Washington. I didn't stay there long as we moved back to Colorado which is where I spent most of my growing up years. Colorado is a wonderful place to grow up. Lots of snow...mountains...and sledding!!!

My parents had me in church whenever the doors were open which I am very grateful for. My parents were strong (and still are) in their faith. I remember my Dad having devotions with us in the evening and being sooooo embarrassed when one of my friends would call and he would tell them to call back because we were having devotions. Isn't that terrible?? I am so thankful that I had a Dad who was the spiritual leader in our home and took the time to have devotions with us and lead us to have our own personal relationship with the Lord.

So this is a tribute to my parents. I wouldn't be who I am today if it wasn't for them. Thank you for loving me, being Godly role models, being married for almost 50 years and still enjoying it, raising me, giving of yourselves for me, providing for me and just being there. I love you both very much!!