Kenny and Daddy 
Remembering 95 years
Mother, Me and Daddy
Mother and Daddy
Birthday Cake
Lighting the Candles
Jane, Laura and Daddy
Daddy and Steve Hemphill
Patricia and Mick and Daddy
Laura and Daddy
How to do write about about a celebration that is so wonderful you are about to burst! We arrived in SC on Sunday night for Daddy's 95th birthday Celebration. On Monday morning we went to his favorite "Cracker Barrel" for the big birthday breakfast. My cousin Patricia and her husband Mick and my aunt Laura (Daddy's half-sister) met us there. Patricia and Mick had to drive back to Northern Virginia that day so this was our only chance to see them. I have not seen Patricia since the 70's and she has 3 (Identical triplets) who are now in college and 22 years old! We had a wonderful visit and of course a great big breakfast! We went back home to get ready for the next party! I actually tool a nap - we were going to leave at 4 PM so at 2:30 Daddy went upstairs and dressed - His black suit, new black shirt and black tie!!! He joked that we could drop him off at the mortuary after the party! We said NO way and told him he had too many more birthdays to celebrate! We went to Steak & Ale and got our big table in the room he loves. The family started to arrive, Laura and Jane, with her husband JT - Daddy's two half sisters and the only immediate family he has left. Then my cousin Karen who we have not seen in years and her friend Sharon who's father was a good friend of my Dad's. Finally, my cousin Steve and his wife Marcia. Karen is the daughter of my Dad's youngest brother Sam and Steve is the son of my Dad's brother, Milton. We dined and had some good wine - I read my poem and didn't cry! We all went back home for coffee and cake that mother had made. We had candles and sang - mother had a "95" candle on the cake and of course Daddy turned them around to say "59"!!! Then the fun began. We all talked (at the same time) and caught up and talked of old memories and family. Daddy really enjoyed this and brought our memento's from our great-grandfather Dr. Fielder and his mother, Lola Bays. We talked and laughed of Papa Hemphill and Mama Hemphill (Jane and Laura's mother). Karen's children are grown, April in Florida and Stephen in LA as a screenwriter and beginning to film his first feature with Richard Gere. Steve and Marcia have 4 grown children and 6 grandchildren!!! Both are retired (I the only one NOT retired) and enjoying life. Kenny said he sat back and watched as everyone was talking and my Daddy smiling and telling stories from his youth (yes, he remembers everything). His face told it all and he was happy to be surrounded by his loved ones. Everyone left around 11 PM and Daddy said we still have an hour to celebrate. At this time Kenny promptly fell asleep in Mother's chair. There is something about this chair (everyone falls asleep in it). At the end of the day all were happy and I am still bursting with pride and love for my Daddy. It could not have been better and having the family together was so heartwarming and wonderful. I am so very blessed to have my 95 year old Daddy and love him with all my heart. I thank God for both of my parents and to have them in my life at my age. Happy Birthday Daddy and many many more......
"That's what my Daddy means to me"........
A man who read books to me before I could talk
A man who carried me before I could walk
That’s what my Daddy is to me
A man who took me to his home
A land called Virginia where we would roam
That’s what my Daddy is to me
A man who brought me a dog in his pocket
And Taught me a love I’ve never forgotten
That’s what my Daddy is to me.
A man who built me a house in a tree
Gave me a bike and let me fly free
That’s what my Daddy is to me.
A man who would search for rocks in New River
And carry them home so I could remember
That’s what my Daddy is to me.
A man who wanted me to play trumpet in the band
But instead let me march with a baton in my hand
That’s what my Daddy is to me
A man who taught me all people were the same
No matter who they were or from where they came
That’s what my Daddy is to me.
A man who really didn’t want me to date
But gave me the freedom to make my mistakes
That’s what my Daddy is to me
A man who watched not what he had planned
But followed my band throughout this land
That’s what my Daddy is to me
A man who taught me to work with my hands
A hammer, a saw: to create what I can
That’s what my Daddy is to me.
A man who supported my dreams all along
Maybe gave up his so I could sing my songs
That’s what my Daddy is to me.
A man who said you can do anything
A song, a paintbrush, a hammer, a dream
That’s what my Daddy is to me
Today here’s a man at 95 years old
Has given me more than my heart could hold
That’s what my Daddy is to me.
Today here’s a man that I love more than life
And together with the woman he calls his wife
Have given me more than any child could ask
Today and Tomorrow, the future, the past.
A man who carried me before I could walk
That’s what my Daddy is to me
A man who took me to his home
A land called Virginia where we would roam
That’s what my Daddy is to me
A man who brought me a dog in his pocket
And Taught me a love I’ve never forgotten
That’s what my Daddy is to me.
A man who built me a house in a tree
Gave me a bike and let me fly free
That’s what my Daddy is to me.
A man who would search for rocks in New River
And carry them home so I could remember
That’s what my Daddy is to me.
A man who wanted me to play trumpet in the band
But instead let me march with a baton in my hand
That’s what my Daddy is to me
A man who taught me all people were the same
No matter who they were or from where they came
That’s what my Daddy is to me.
A man who really didn’t want me to date
But gave me the freedom to make my mistakes
That’s what my Daddy is to me
A man who watched not what he had planned
But followed my band throughout this land
That’s what my Daddy is to me
A man who taught me to work with my hands
A hammer, a saw: to create what I can
That’s what my Daddy is to me.
A man who supported my dreams all along
Maybe gave up his so I could sing my songs
That’s what my Daddy is to me.
A man who said you can do anything
A song, a paintbrush, a hammer, a dream
That’s what my Daddy is to me
Today here’s a man at 95 years old
Has given me more than my heart could hold
That’s what my Daddy is to me.
Today here’s a man that I love more than life
And together with the woman he calls his wife
Have given me more than any child could ask
Today and Tomorrow, the future, the past.
2 comments:
Oh what a wonderful time! What a beautiful blog about your Daddy. I know he drank it all in and felt satisfied with life. You see it in the photos...that "I have it all" look. Bless you sissy!
I saw this post yesterday, but waited to read it until I had plenty of time to enjoy it. It was worth the wait. Your special bond with your Daddy is something to celebrate and something so few girls have. Thanks for opening your heart. We love him too, for supporting you on your path that eventually led to us!
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