Celebrate

Happy Birthday to a special man. Today is my dad's birthday. The man who brought me into this world, but now lives in another. We had a day of celebration to honor him today. We started with a robust round of Happy Birthday at 11:11 on Nov. 11, 2011. Glory brought to my attention all the 11's and we had to celebrate. Our dear cousins, the Pucketts, drove the mile down the road to help us celebrate in style. What a loud bunch we are! I think the whole neighborhood heard us, which leaves little doubt in my mind that he heard us as well. I was so worried about trying to get a pic of the phone at the exact second that I almost missed the party. Thankfully my senses came to me and I joined the party . Dang phone. Well my sister got a great it's 11:11 on the 11th pic loriendevon.blogspot.com. Documentation was crucial :) 
My memories of my dad are only memories of a memory now. I cherish these and rehearse them often. I was five turning six, in a couple of months, when he was ripped from our little family. My mother is a strong woman. I wonder at times how I would have held up. My dad was taken away the day after my mom's birthday. Imagine, being left to care for three little ones, alone. Thanks mom for being strong when it was hard. And oh, a mothers heart. Okay, I can't go there.
Now the fun happy memories bit. My dad always played with us. We would wrestle and play tents. We had a ship and we would swim to the store to buy lobster and try to get back before the sharks would get us. He would read to me. He would shave his mustache and see if I noticed. He could shave and grow a new mustache by evening, a bit like my brother I think. I remember he took me to his work and we made pictures of our faces on the copier. He was very tall and strong.
 I miss him. I wonder what it would be like with him here. What things would be different and what would be the same. I think the strong family bond we all share, would still be with us. I think family parties would still happen often, with lots of baby kisses.
This is a special year for our family. God has given us two Davids in our family. My brother and sister in law gave birth to
David James Bahl. What a special name this little boy has been given. My son received the name Thomas David Benjamin Rogers in honor of my father, husband and brother in law. Dave is a joy. I love that he has the name of his grandpa.

A few pics of our special day.

The two Davids.

What a bunch of good lookin' kids!

My brother's kids are not a mile down the road or they would have been here too.

Mustaches in honor of Grandpa Bahl.

The Happy Birthday song sent heavens way.

Dave with a pic of dad when he was our kids age. 

I think Brennen and Tilden resemble him.

We will end our day with reading the book he read to me and a game of tents with my little ones.

David Louis Bahl

1953-1982

Happy 58th dad!

In his shoe.

Mom and dad.

On their special day. He had a great smile :)

What a good lookin' pair.

Dad with Uncle Joel and Grandma Shirley. Proud mama! Nice hats. My brother has his smile.

I remember those arms. I loved when he put his arm under my head when I was in bed with them. I would lay in the crook of his arm and all was safe and cozy. Sniff.

Okay, I am adding this one cause I'm so darn cute!

We made it in the local paper. Proud papa.

He was manager of Jewel T stores. Here he is tasting some raisin bread. I have long wanted to make this bread as a way to be close to him and eat something he ate. This is the year. I will let go of my fear of yeast and make it.