60 Years

My dad used to tell the story of my birth 60 years tomorrow at every birthday gathering. Then when I left home he wrote me a note about it that I still have.

Mom woke him to say it was time. They got dressed and out to the car, turned it around heading for the hospital and... a flat tire. Was a cold March in South Dakota and dad had to change that tire. Worried that I'd come before he finished he hurried in the dark. No reason to hurry as it turns out. I wasn't born until that evening! Fooled him!

I have a lot of stories from dad. Wish i had taken the time over the years to collect more. He led an interesting life. Orphaned at 9 he was passed between sisters and aunts. He went to college and taught in a rural South Dakota school. He fought through the pacific in WWII with his national guard artillery battalion as an enlisted man and later an officer. He was mustard gassed, shot at by a zero or two and grew up quickly. He was always very independent and stoic. The last born, he saw all his brothers and sisters die before him. He lost his wife as well. But he was always religious, thoughtful, generous and loving. His last wish was to die in his own bed and he did.

I miss him today and wish I could hear him tell the story one more time!