The Gift of Memories

Saturday was my dad's birthday.  Do you like the huge candle?  Heh heh.... My dad is awesome.  He's taught me so much.  He's taught me that Christianity is not about rules, about perfection.  It's not about how many doors you knock on or how many services you attend.  He taught me that no matter what you never quit.  No matter what battles you face or obstacles get in your way, you keep going, keep serving God.  My mom and dad have been Christians since before I was born and I'm soooooo very blessed to have their exampleship in my life.

My dad in his dad's arms

For my dad's birthday I think he got the very best gift he could have been given.  A gift of memories from a family friend.  My dad lost his mom to cancer when she was only 22.  My dad was only two years old at the time.  Two years later his dad was shot and killed in the room right next to my dad and he had to see his dad carried out.  My dad was only four years old by the time he lost both of his parents.  I can't imagine what it'd be like to be only FOUR and have that trauma in your life.  No parents.  These are parents that loved him very, very much but were lost to tragedy.  

My dad's parents

Well, for his birthday some friends came over that knew his parents.  In fact, the lady that came not only knew his parents but would babysit my dad and his brother sometimes when his parents were alive.  She remembers so much about his parents and was able to give the gift of memories to my dad.  Everything she could remember about his parents she told him.  So many stories, some funny, some sad, she told him.  Three hours later and my dad and them were still talking about their memories.  My dad learned so much about his parents he still hadn't known.  What a blessing for him.  He also got to play guitar and hang out with another guitarist friend. It was a good day.  :)