Memorable

Jennifer is visiting family in Iowa and asked if I would be willing to guest post on her blog. Of course it is an honor to do so...and on such a fun subject: Memory Mondays! It's been a busy day so I wasn't able to post right away this morning, but all day at work I was wondering what pictures I would see when I pulled up her draft. Any time I look at pictures from the past, I find myself involuntarily smiling. How blessed we four kids were to grow up with such a wonderful mommy and daddy! (And even more, that we get to carry these memories that have helped to shape who we've become in our hearts for the rest of our lives) 

This past Saturday marked what would have been Dad's 56th birthday! It's hard to believe time has passed that quickly! In these pictures, we were celebrating his 33rd! I was too young to actually recognize exactly where these were taken - I'm guessing this was when we lived on Knollwood in Fairmont? Anyway, in the top picture I recognize mom & dad's beautiful dining set covered with mom's lace table cloth and her pretty china that we only used on special occasions! I'm guessing Grandma and Grandpa were there to help us celebrate because I recognize the special frosting on that cake! (the same kind Grandma uses at Christmastime for Jesus' birthday cake!) And it looks like it may be their special apple cider in those glasses.

When it came to present time, I remember dad used to carefully open his gifts while making a few silly guesses as to what they might be. I wish I could make out more clearly all the "presents" dad has on his lap. I see the paper camel he is holding up and can only imagine how he and mom must have giggled over the things we had made and deemed present-worthy! But I remember him always making us feel that we had given him exactly what he had been hoping for! I don't remember those very pink curtains, but I do remember that comfy brown recliner (which has since been passed on to one of my closest friends so I know where to go for that memory and a comfy seat ;) I see mom's country cousins in the background, and her mother's ceramic cat peeking around the end table (which makes me think of the stuffed one Dad brought home for her that had a creepy way of seeming to always be looking at you). I see that orange cup that had green and yellow ones to match - do you still have any of those left, mom? It sits on one of the two John Deere coasters from where dad used to work. Dad's slippers: I remember his cowboy boots on his way out every morning and his worn slippers when he came home every night. I'm getting a kick out of Jason's tight camo PJ's and still love the pretty nightgowns us girls are wearing - they felt like princess gowns! I remember that we loved to twirl in them. It's funny how much one little picture can trigger so many memories because of each of the little things captured in it. Those of you who know me, know I could probably go on and on, but I will close with this. I remember that Dad was always the one behind the camera, so it's special to me that on his birthdays, he would take his turn to be in front of the camera. Because now, I love the ability to not only go back and look at pictures, but to watch those home videos and see his mannerisms, hear his voice, see him be sweet, flirt with mom, and tease us kids! Parents - don't be camera shy! Make sure your kids have these tangible memories to go with the ones that only live in their heads. I wish more than anything, that this past Saturday we could have celebrated Dad's 56th birthday with him as a family, but I know that God had a different plan and His way is always best. Praise God for the precious 40 years of his life: the 18+ years he spent loving my mom, and the time in between in which they both poured their lives into each of us kids. I will forever cherish my 10 years with him. 
Thanks for letting me have a spot to ramble on your blog, Jenny!