“D” is for Dad!

I am so happy that “D” is the 4th letter of the alphabet and that “D” falls on the 4th of April. Why, you ask.

Because today is my dad’s 90th birthday!

Happy Birthday Dad!

When my dad was born, he was premature and only weighed 2 pounds. Back then they didn’t have incubators and heart monitors, and all those other medical procedures that they have today for preemies. The doctor told my grandma to feed him, keep him warm, and pray. Well dad grew to 6′ 2″ with size 12 shoes! Long way from sleeping in a shoebox. Dad’s health is pretty good. He still drives and some days he has more energy than me!

My Dad is one of those people who you either love or hate, but even if you hate him in the beginning you end up loving him.

My parents divorced when I was little. I think I was about 5 and I didn’t spend a lot of time with my dad. (Not his fault) Anyway, it wasn’t until 1998 that I started spending more time getting to know him.

So let me tell you a little about my Dad.

He’s cranky. He’s cheap. He’s crabby. He’s impatient. He’s stubborn. He’s demanding, he’s gruff and he is loud, but maybe that’s because he is hard of hearing.

But on the other hand, he is loving and generous, kind, caring, and compassionate.

And he is funny, even when he is not trying to be.

Demanding: He’ll call me on the phone, (Sometimes 5 times a day) and tell me to call a certain number and find out what they want or to make an appointment, etc. and then he tells me, “I’m going to be here for 10 more minutes and then I’m going shopping so call me back and tell me what they said!” Which he expects me to drop whatever I’m doing and take care of what he wants. Since I don’t have a full time job outside the house, my dad feels that I have nothing to do. 🙂 What he doesn’t realize is, after you press “1” for English, you then have to press “2” or “3” or whatever number to get to where you need to be and then they tell you please hold for the next representative. So 10 minutes ends up being 25 minutes. 🙂

And the funny thing is, he is the only person I can’t say no to.

Impatient: He’ll get to an appointment 30 minutes early and if he has to wait 5 minutes past his appointment time, he’ll walk up to the counter and tell them he’s not waiting any longer and walk out. (Thank God my mom taught me the value of patience.)

Hard of hearing: The phone will ring and dad will answer it with, “Who is it? I can’t hear you.” And then he’ll hang up. I know cause he’s done it to me. The problem is, he doesn’t even let you say anything, so no wonder he can’t hear you! Lately he has been saying, “I can’t hear you, you’ll have to call my daughter.” And he gives them my phone number.

 “Uh dad, what did they say?”

“I don’t know, something about winning some lottery.”

Gee thanks dad you gave my number to scammers. LOL

(I can hear my sister Val, snickering now 🙂 )

He does sound like a cranky old man, doesn’t he? But Dad is:

Generous: He always grabs the bill when we eat out and he always shoves a twenty in my pocket after I‘ve helped him fix his computer for the umpteenth time, even though I tell him he doesn’t need to pay me.

Loving and Caring:  Dad and my step-mom, Jinny, have been married 47  years and when she had a series of strokes back in 2005, dad stepped up, taking care of her, the household chores, and even learned how to balance the checkbook. We have tried talking him into paying someone to come in and help, but he feels it’s his job.

My dad isn’t perfect, but then who is? I think I have the best dad in the world and wouldn’t trade him for nothing.

I Love you dad and I wish you the best birthday ever.

 (And I get to pay for dinner this time)

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• Posted in: A to Z Challenge ♦ Uncategorized
• Tagged: 90th birthday, a to z challenge, d, dad, dads birthday.90 years old, family, mydad