Tomorrow is Dad’s Birthday

Dad's Birthday

Tomorrow is April 11th.  It would have been Dad’s 63rd birthday.  Dad always seemed to love birthday parties.  He was the official picture taker of our family at every single get-together like birthdays.  So it is tough to find pictures of Dad on his birthday.  Mom and Dad started a tradition in our house that on your birthday you would pick whatever restaurant you wanted and we would all load up and go eat.  My favorite one to go to was Casa Bonita on 21st and Sheridan.

Casa Bonita in Tulsa

It had great food, including the Sopapillas - small squares of fried bread served with honey,  and a video arcade.  Dad would typically pick Casa Bonita too because he knew Charity and I absolutely loved it.  He loved the waterfall and cave dining rooms. I always like the open one that had the volcano erupting!

My family is the old style family that actually likes to hang out with each other.  No kidding!  For birthday parties, you typically would have over 50 attending…all family!!!  For most of our family parties, we would meet either at grandma & grandpa’s house or our house.  There is always tons of ice cream and cake.

Unfortunately, this time we will not be loading up to run to a restaurant or blowing up balloons.  My mom, my sister’s family, and my family will be going down to Seller’s church close to Tahlequah to Dad’s grave to tell Daddy “Happy Birthday”.  This is going to be extremely hard as it still seems like yesterday when it all happened.  I still catch myself sending Dad emails or waiting for him to walk in on Mondays or Thursdays when we have Family Night at Mom’s.  Sometimes I call Mom’s house when I know she is not there to just hear Dad’s voice on the recorder.  I dream about him several times a week.  Oh how I miss him.  Oh how I love him.

Happy Birthday, Daddy.  We miss you.  We love you.  We cannot wait to see you again whenever that day comes.  I feel you with me at all times.  I can still hear your voice and wisdom when I need it.  You are in my DNA.