Today is my dad’s 85th birthday. He always talks about when he was younger, he never thought he would live to be this age. At that time, not very many people did. At the same time, he says his goal is to live to 100. It was a great day to celebrate him. I made a frosting for the angel food cake that I had never done before and was very happy that it turned out. My dad and mom went to lunch with friends, then came back to the house to enjoy the cake and ice cream. They were proud of their age and ability to continue enjoying life. One man was 90 years old. He and his wife brought pictures from their recent trip to Hawaii. I was in awe. Later in the afternoon my brother stopped by for a visit and brought his dog with him. She is young and full of energy – a huge contrast to my poor old ailing dog. My dog often looked at her as if to say, “What is wrong with you – calm down.” While she looked at my old dog as if to say, “What is wrong with you – get up and play with me.” They were entertaining to watch. My other brother called in the evening to wish my dad a happy birthday. I thought about all the lives my dad has touched, either directly or indirectly. He was in the Air Force for 25 years and researched and studied things that make a difference to us all in some way. After retiring from the military, he taught at the college level – even writing a text book. So he shared his zeal for learning with countless others. I asked my dad what words of wisdom he had to impart on this momentous occasion. He answered quickly and simply, “Live, Love, Laugh, and Be Happy.”

I Found God today in celebrating my dad’s 85 years of living and I am grateful to be here to celebrate it with him.