Happy 100th Birthday!

One hundred years ago today (December 16, 1907) a baby boy was born to George and Annie. What was it like on that day, a long century ago? Was it cold and rainy like it is here today, or perhaps the snow fell gently down, covering the earth? Babies were born at home in those days, usually without a doctor present, only the female relatives to help with the birth. What went through Grandma’s mind as she held her new baby for the first time? Was she proud it was another son, one who could help in the fields? How fast did the news travel through the small town, from one relative or friend to another? All of these questions and more have passed through my mind these last few days as the 100th anniversary of Dad’s birth comes closer. Dad always said he wanted to live to be 100 years old and he was only a decade short of this goal when God called him home to be once again with those who held him long ago on that first day of his life.



Even though it has been almost ten years since he died, I still miss him so much. Sometimes when I drive down a road in the summer and pass a tobacco field, I will almost catch a glimpse of him walking along behind Ole Big Un, the sweat running down, drenching his shirt, as the plow turns a perfectly straight furrow down the tobacco row. Sometimes I can still hear his voice, shouting with joy as he played the trump card in Rummy or ran the numbers in Racko. I can see his big work-worn hands gently hold a grandchild as his rode them horsey on his knee. Or see him tenderly hand mom a rose from the garden. He was my example in faithfulness, in hard work, honesty, and endurance. He never gave up when times were tough and he never gave in, even when the infirmities of old age tried to slow him down. He took pride in doing a thing well and in giving his all to whatever he did. He demanded a lot from those around him, but never more than what he was willing to do himself. He taught me a love and respect for nature that nourishes and sustains my spirit even today. I am proud to be the daughter of such a man. Happy Birthday, Daddy!
I invite everyone to spend some time tomorrow saying a prayer for all of Dad’s family, living and dead as a birthday remembrance of him. In addition to this, we plan on celebrating Dad’s 100th birthday in a way that I think he would have approved and most certainly would have enjoyed. After church, we are going to Cracker Barrel, Dad’s favorite restaurant. For dessert we are going to have ice cream, one of Dad’s favorite foods! And as Nathan and Sarah said, “Make sure every hole in the bowl is filled.” Then we get to go watch the grandkids in a Christmas play. Dad always loved Christmas. He made sure we had Christmas dinner early so that we could open the presents sooner and he was like a little kid when he opened his. This year we are having Christmas dinner at our house for the first time in several years. Usually I stress out so much over big gatherings, trying to make sure that everything is perfect. It has taken me fifty some years to realize that things will never be perfect; families are never perfect and something will always happen that tries our patience or frazzles our nerves. But what is important is the being together, the laughter, the stories and the sharing. Food will be plentiful and good, but not fancy and the table won’t be a Martha Stewart masterpiece, but we will enjoy it together. Tradition is so important, especially to the younger generation and I want to give them many more memories to cherish of a family together at Christmas, enjoying one another. I think Dad will approve!