Today is my Dad's birthday

Another year has rolled around and today is my dad's birthday.  To be honest, it has become one of my least favorite days of the year.  The fact that he isn't here to celebrate is all too obvious.  I couldn't help but think of my grandmother this morning and how tough this day must be for her.  After all, she is the one person on this earth who was there when he came into this world exactly 62 years ago today.  No one should ever bury their children.

On Saturday we were at my hometown celebrating my mother and sister's birthdays (April is a busy month).  My cousin asked if I could come by so I did, and then we stopped at DQ.  I only had Thomas & Catherine with me.  Robert had to work so Andrew stayed in town to transport.  After DQ, we stopped at the cemetery.  Strangely enough, seeing my father's name on the stone was actually less awful than it not being there.  I think maybe it was something to focus on other than the pile of dirt under which he is buried.  The stone has a fish by Dad's name and that pleased Thomas.  Catherine asked if my dad liked ice cream and when I said that he did, she and Thomas decided he might be jealous of them with their blizzards.  It made me smile.  My parents' stone is directly next to my maternal grandparents' stone, then we walked over to my paternal grandparents' stone.  Grandpa has a fish near his name as well, and Thomas hadn't realized that the tackle box he currently has belonged first to my grandfather and then to my dad.  Thomas was delighted!  Catherine asked about my Grandpa liking ice cream, and yes he did, even more so than my dad.  I can't say it was fun to be at the cemetery necessarily, but I am so grateful I got to share it with Catherine & Thomas.

For dinner this evening we are having fried chicken.  It has been a while, and it was something my dad absolutely loved.  I am grateful I'm able to do that.  I miss Dad so much, but he is still with us every day!