Daddy.
“Just like your dad,” some people say to me. Typically, this is in reference to some unwavering position I hold on a particular issue. I’m not always sure of their meaning, but I take it as a compliment. My father is an honest, hardworking man of his word. He has impeccable integrity. Is he perfect? No. Can he be stubborn and contrary? Indeed! But it is because of his strong opinions and my having to battle him throughout my childhood and adolescence for the right to my own, that I do not waver with every “change in the direction of the wind.” It is because of his (and my mother’s) sacrificing that I know my worth. And because of the fierceness of his commitment and service to our family that I know the character of genuine love.
Today is my dad’s 81st birthday. Eighty-one years is a long time to be blessed with life and good health and love on this earth. It is more meaningful because my dad is the first among his parents and siblings to live beyond the age of 60. I imagine that he spent his years up to that point a little anxious…holding his breath a little. So we celebrated 60. We celebrated 70. And then, 80. And 80 was major because we had not gathered as a family since Karlette passed. There was something in the celebration that was more than just another birthday–it was a celebration of “being alive” and with family and close friends. For some of us, we celebrated for Karlette, who loved (and never missed) these family gatherings, and who would have been right there with us making much over Daddy. For some of us, it was intense because our last celebration of this magnitude–for my dad’s 70th birthday–where family and friends gathered was just weeks before Hurricane Katrina scattered us in different directions. For those of us who suffered loss after loss after loss over the last few years, the celebration served as a welcome exorcism of the heaviness of the grief that weighed us down.
That was last year. This year the celebration is a little quieter–as we had a huge family reunion a few weeks ago. But the day is no less significant. As I celebrate my dad and his day, I’m not only looking at today. I am looking back to the warmth of yesterday, meditating on all the intangible and imperishable gifts my father bestowed on his 10 children. I also look to tomorrow, as I realize these gifts are being instilled in generation after generation of his progeny. Though I cannot tell all that he is and all that he’s accomplished in one blog post, this is what I celebrate.
Thank you, Daddy, for being unapologetically who you are and for passing a little of that on to me.
Happy Birthday, with all my love…
Mom and Dad with all their children at their 50th wedding anniversary, 2008.
Pics and Posts 
What a lovely post . . . a beautiful tribute . . . a great family. Your dad should be proud of this. Keep the creativity coming!
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Thank you! I’m sure he is!
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Beautiful!!
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Thank you, Cy!
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Lovely tribute!!
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Thank you, DGR!
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A tribute full of love and pride! I love your words…
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Thank you, Louise! I received your beautiful postcard yesterday. Yours will be in the mail tomorrow. Hugs!
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Super Chandra, looking forward to receiving it 🙂
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Hugs from France!
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So enjoyed this lovely post! Such a good looking couple. And that baby girl is too cute for words. Thanks for sharing your gorgeous family with us. Blessings to you all, and to your father for his service!
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Thank you, Sheila! You’re too kind and I will pass your blessings on to my favmily…Hugs!
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Hello Chandra! What a lovely family to be apart of. There’s no greater blessing than being surrounded and supported by love ones. Thank you for sharing your family with me! May God bless and keep you all safe and well.
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Thank you, Minister Jeanie! I am so blessed by your ministry. Blessings to you and yours as well.
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I witnessed your words. I never remember seeing a moment of non-commitment from your loving parents. Yours is one beautiful family I am proud to know.
As always, thank you for sharing your mom and dad with me.
Blessings, Fran
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