Happy Birthday, Dad

Which one is the monkey?

Originally uploaded by Jason Dufair.

Today is my dad’s birthday. Have I ever told you what a great guy he is? Let me give you the short list:

• He calls me every couple days since the day I left home.
• He works at the homeless shelter.
• He helps a hispanic gentleman in his town learn English and American culture.
• He runs a successful small business that put food on our table and a roof over our heads growing up (and paid for a major chunk of my college).
• He’s a dedicated husband.
• He’s a former Olympic torch bearer.
• He’s utterly dedicated to his family.
• He was unbelievably supportive, both emotionally and financially during Anna’s illness.
• He’s a stupendous grandfather (who goes by the name of Bata – a term Alyssa coined when she couldn’t pronounce grandpa).
• He’s very active in his church and walks the walk more than he talks the talk when it comes to his faith.
• He’s a super uncle to my cousins
• He sends CDs to my kids of stories he’s read after hours into a microphone at work.
• He takes care of himself by walking nearly every day.
• He’s at least somewhat better looking than the monkey

Happy Birthday, Dad. Here’s to many more.

Update: I’m officially submitting this as my April entry into the Pulsate Olympics, now sponsored by GNMParents. I should probably do something more prose-y, but I think this works. My dad sure liked it.