Tuesday, March 3, 2009

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DADDY!

My Father and I - March 2009 (79 years old)

Tomorrow my father will celebrate 79 years of living on this planet and more than ever I’m grateful he is still with me.

Life hasn’t been easy for the man I still call “daddy”. I use to spend a lot of time concentrating on his many imperfections… but, now that he is ill I try not to waste a second speaking of things that are impossible for me to change. Instead, I choose to celebrate the things he did that were right and pray for my heart to lead me as I work out the details of everything else.

My Father and I - October 1976 (46 years old)

My father was a dreamer. He once longed to be a Professional Boxer until a devastating injury changed the course of his life when he was just fifteen. He was forced to leave school after only the eighth grade and yet went on to be the only one of his siblings to attend and then graduate college. He was a Pastor and a Poet and will forever be the keeper of my mother’s heart. I’ve doubted and questioned many things during my lifetime but never, ever the love my father had for me and my three siblings…

So…

In honor of the one who… raised me and called me daughter, encouraged me, believed in me, prayed over me, spanked my naughty bum, kissed my undeserving check, held my ever growing hand, combed my mousy brown hair, calmed my fears, wiped away my tears, and led me to believe in a healing, forgiving, merciful, loving God… I wish A BLESSED BIRTHDAY… I will love you forever! Thank you, thank you, thank you for loving me, too.... Becky Sue

Blessings to you as you travel this earth with those you love…Rebecca

19 comments:

Anonymous said...

Happy Birthday to your Dad!! How wonderful to be able to share each & every one of them with him and appreciate all he does for you. We often do spend more time spinning and rhuemenating on things we should just let fall to the wayside. I'm happy for you that you've been able to reach that peak in your own life with your father. I hope he enjoys his day emmensely!

Jennifer Chronicles (jenx67.com) said...

Beautiful tribute, Beck.

Tanza said...

Sweet ~r~,
Your words always tug at my heartstrings, and tears always flow..It makes me wish my Daddy was still here.. I feel alot like you.. But, boy, did I Love him.. His choices weren't always the right ones, I try not to judge, and wonder what if, and why, But, continue to lean on the Lord for understanding, and forgiveness, and love as HE would want of me..I know now, that my Daddy sleeps with the angels, and sees his Fathers' face in heaven, and yes, I am at peace knowing this...God is good, and His will be done..Thanks for always sharing your heart so openly, and none of us have a perfect life.. I truly believe that's why we become who WE are this very day..Our heavenly Father has his arms wrapped around each one of us.. Blessings to you my sweet adoring,friend..I Love you to pieces..huggers ~tea~

A Romantic Porch said...

Ah, Rebecca, What a beautiful birthday greeting. Isn't it wonderful how as we grow and mature we can see things from such a different perspective! Enjoy your day with your Daddy! xorachel

Linda said...

Happy Birthday to your dad. I hope you get to spend some wonderful time together today.

Anonymous said...

Your tribute is so lovely...brought tears to my eyes...Happy Birthday, Rebecca's Dad!

{Bellamere Cottage} said...

Rebecca!!!!!

What a lovely surprise! I'm so happy to have happened across your blog. I've read your ME page on ebay and checked out your lovelies many, many times....

Happy Birthday to your dear dad. What a wonderful man he sounds like. You're a lucky girl.

Warm blessings!
Spencer

Tanza said...

Sweet ~r~,

I'm passing along the award to you of KREATIV BLOGGER! Don't you love me...? huggers ~t~ PS: Visit my page to get it and put it on your side bar, K?

A Southern Rose said...

Happy Birthday to your daddy! Hope you have a wonderful day together!
Hugs,
Lee Laurie

Angie said...

What a sweet tribute to your dad..Happy birthday to him! I LOVE your blog and think even my eyes were drooling..lol. I am thinking about just moving on in to your amazing home...don't worry..I don't take up much room..heehee!

Rose of Sharon said...

What a lovely tribute! That is just so sweet. He sounds like a wonderful man. You have a darling blog! Thanks for stopping by mine!

Hugs, Sharon

Mary H said...

Hi Rebecca~
What a lovely tribute to your Daddy...I lost my Dad to pancreatic cancer a few years ago. One day he was there and 6 wks he was gone. My Mother has Alzheimer's and lives close by and I came close to losing her about a week ago. We just live everyday to the fullest and do what you are doing...spending quality time with your loved one. God is really good. I have had many moments when my prayers and His comfort have gotten me through hard times. I am ever grateful. Thank you for sharing your visit with your Dad with us. I was happy for you and I'm sure it made your Dad's day. Will talk again soon, dear friend...Mary

Sandy~Romantique Inspirations~ said...

Rebecca, This is a wonderful sweet tribute to your father. I'm sure your dad was touched by the loving words you have express to him. I'm wishing all the best for your Dads Birthday, and many more to come. God Bless him..

Unknown said...

Oh Rebecca, I LOVE this post!!!! Such a beautiful tributeto your sweet daddy! He sounds wonderful and I love the pictures of you two together! You are gorgeous!!!! I am super close to my daddy too. Isnt it such a wonderful thing to be close with your dad? Such a beautiful and important relationship. Happy birthday to your daddy!
Love ya,
Amy

A day at the Cappuccino Café said...

Rebecca,

What a wonderful tribute to your father on his birthday! I love that at 79, he's still referred to as daddy...my mother will be 79 in October & I still call her mommy!!

I hope you both had a wonderful day & tell him happy belated birthday from me =)

Hugs,
Sue

Anonymous said...

Oh!! How Sweet! I just did a post this morning about my father's birthday (today) and titled it the same thing. "Happy Birthday Daddy". Precious, aren't they? Our fathers. They are strong and gentle at the same time and they always have our heart. I love reading your stories Rebecca. I truly do! Many hugs, Rhonda

Anonymous said...

Becky--
I posted a comment, but it didn't go through. Thank you for making your Dad's Day a wonderful event. Your words touched my heart and he will Forever, "Be My Beloved."
Hugs-- Mom

Anonymous said...

Rebecca,
Happy Belated Birthday to your Daddy...So touching story and so special. What a blessing....Thanks for sharing...Have a bless day..Kathy

Wsprsweetly Of Cottages said...

I never fail to be amazed at your insight, Rebecca. Your love for your father shows and only a daughter that was loved very much would be able to feel like that. Thank you for sharing the poem with us. It's beautiful!

We parents do the best we can with our limited knowledge. I think we sometimes forget that there is a little movie camera in each childs head recording our every word and action to be played back for us later in life. We are blessed when our children edit that film and play only the good parts back for us.
Happy Birthday to your dear Father.
Mona

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