Happy Birthday Champ!

Sarah, Anna + Sparky, Grandpa Jack, and Julia
Originally uploaded by Krista 1366.

Today is my dear old Dad's 81st Birthday! Grandpa Jack is getting older and better.

Lets see....

Dad has survived...

1. Childhood. No easy feat growing up during the Depression. Irish Catholic Mom. Swedish Lutheran dad, families who didn't get on so well. Imagine that? 4 siblings, all healthy and alive - outliving their spouses. My grandma must have done something right.

2. WW II. Amazing how scoring in the top 3% on a math exam can change your fate. Dad managed to be in school for most of the war and ended up stationed on the only atoll in the South Pacific that the Japanese never bombed. How is that for luck? According to him, the biggest danger was chopping off your thumb trying to crack open a coconut. You could be court martialed for that!!! For the record, Jack still has 2 thumbs.

3. Divorce. Yes, the sixties came and went and left my dad a single father with an infant (that be me) at the age of 41. He raised my brothers and I the best he could and we all are doing just fine. You have to give credit where credit is due.

4. Sexual Revolution.. Not a topic I really want to talk about. Better to leave that discussion to "The Champ", according to him, that is his nickname. Wonder who gave him that? When Jack visits, this seems to be the one topic he likes to talk about the most with Sam and his friends. Leave me out of this one.

5. Giving away his daughter to marriage. Yup, that no good boyfriend of mine turned out to be a not so bad husband and father. Dear old dad has been nothing but a pillar of support and just thinks Sam is great. In fact, favorite past time of theirs? Making fun of me.

6. Grandchildren. 3 Gorgeous granddaughters. Not bad.

7. Bypass surgery. See if you live long enough anything can happen. Even being part of a trial for some newfangled procedure. Dad was lucky to live to see the day when you could have a bypass with out opening the chest. Age has its advantages.

8. Cars, furniture, kitchens, and dogs.... For the last 20 years, every time Dad buys a new car, improves the house, or even gets a new puppy.... First thing he says... "This one will take me to the grave". Hmmm. That was 3 cars ago, two new kitchens, 2 home remodels, and last week he bought a new recliner and sofa! By the way, he outlived all his dogs. Please dad, no more puppies. Lesson here. You can never plan your exit from this place. Live every day to its fullest. Make sure you drive in style and recline in comfort. And who needs to pick up poop from a dog anyway?

There you have it. Next milestone? I have no idea. Lets hope it is one of his granddaughters' High School graduations!

According to Hugh Hefner... Who, by the way, shares his birthday with "The Champ" and turned 80 today, 80 is the new 40!

Happy Birthday Dad!

Krista