Sunday was my dad's 75th (yeah - count 'em) birthday and we gathered at my sister Peggy's house for a little B-day celebration. This photo is from last summer - Seamus and Grandpa doing jobs.
There isn't much to be said about my dad that hasn't already been said to him or about him. He talked a little bit on Sunday about counting his blessings and as usual he teared up a bit. I've learned so much from my father - but maybe one of the most prominent is from moments like that - moments where he pauses and wants to take the time to tell whoever is listening how grateful he is for everything - the big and the little. He said thank you for his birthday present, but also for the life he's led since 1981 when he had major heart surgery.
I've learned that being grateful is wonderful - but maybe more importantly I've learned that sharing your sense of gratitude breeds gratitude in others. He shared the story of being in his early 50s with a big, dependant family and a 6 year old little girl; and being told surgery wasn't a cure - it was a short term fix - 10 years at best. He said all he wanted to do was see me graduate from high school - that would be a goal. He told me this story for the first time when he walked me down the wedding aisle.
Life, love and family are so precious. Every minute, every day. Thank you, Dad, for teaching me how to show it.
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