(This is family Christmas 2003…couldn’t find this past year’s pix. Front row left to right: My sis-in-law Dawn, my bro-in-law Mike, my sis Abby, me, my wife Mary. Top row left to right: My bro Jason, my daughter Tori, my dad, my nephew Elijah, my mom, my niece Haley)
Today is my father’s 58th birthday. I’ve been very blessed all these years to have a dad who loves me and is invested in my life. My dad works a thankless job as a welder, a job that has been very hard on him over the years, but one that provided us with a great house to grow up in and all the things we needed to have a happy childhood.
My dad is a very creative person. He has a large shop behind his house filled with tools and it is there that he creates all kinds of furniture and other items. He is a master with both wood and iron and my house is filled with furniture that he’s created. At almost every visit one of us kids pulls out the Pottery Barn catalog to show dad what we want him to build for us next. The computer desk that I’m typing this at is a creation inspired by a PB desk but perfected in a way that only my father can do. My kitchen table, coffee table, table behind the couch, etc. are all my father’s creations. I can remember as a kid going to furniture stores and my mom seeing stuff that she liked and my dad would go home and make an even better version of it for her. My dad also makes trailers for people to haul stuff in…my brother-in-law Mike and I recently received a trailer as a gift which is about to come in very handy for hauling off all the brush we’ve lost from trees this winter!
My dad’s job involves shift work so as children we would hardly see him during the weeks that he worked nights. Despite being tired and having any number of other things to do he always had time for us. I remember playing catch with my dad and brother, going on wonderful family vacations, and just hanging out and doing things. My dad took us to the drive-in when we were young to see Star Wars…a movie he definitely did not have any interest in. He taught us how to take care of our things and instilled a good work ethic in us. My dad can fix almost anything and he has saved us countless dollars in repair costs over the years by fixing our cars, appliances, etc. Most importantly my dad taught us by example how to be a good husband and a good father.
Over the years I feel that my dad has become more and more of a friend and I enjoy the time that we get to spend together when they come down from Nebraska or we go up there for a visit.
Please join me in wishing my dad a very happy birthday! I love you dad, more than I can express in words. You are truly the best dad in the world. Happy Birthday!!!
Mr. Anderson, you are a neat man. I also think you are adorable! (I am just asking to be teased by saying that aren’t I?) I love your creations, too!
I hope you have a wonderful birthday!
Happy Birthday Dad!! You are the greatest father. Thank you so very much for all the love, comfort, and advice you have given me over the years. I especially want to thank you for your comforting phone call last night. It really helps to know that when life gets to be too much sometimes I know you are always there. You are a wonderful husband, dad, grandpa, and friend. Thanks for always being such a good example for me & it is true what they say about daughters marrying men like their fathers. Mike reminds me so much of you in so many ways and I feel truly blessed. Thanks for everything and have a happy birthday. Love you always and forever. Your daughter.
Happy Birthday!
What a great day for a birthday! 🙂
We also share bday’s with Celine Dion, Tracy Chapman, Warren Beatty, and quite a few other famous people!
Happy Birthday, Dad! You are an awesome father-in-law. When I look at your life, I can see why Carl turned out to be such a great husband and father. I am so blessed to be part of your family.
Sunshine would also like to wish his grandpa a Happy Birthday!!
Not to be outdone, Razz says ‘happy birthday’ and has offered to share his Scooby Snacks next time you come to visit.
That’s because Razz has plenty of Scooby Snacks to go around. Have you convinced him yet that he has to eat regular dog food sometimes, too?
Happy Birthday to your Dad, Carl. I have long admired the furniture he makes–it is no surprise you are proud of the work he does.
He is slowly but surely going through the snacks but has alot left.
Yes, my dad’s stuff is awesome. I need to get off my keister and learn a thing or two from him.
Will you adopt me? Let me know ASAP when I’m “in” and I’ll be over to visit with my Pottery Barn catalog!
You just need to have one in your purse next time they visit and we all “go chinese”. Then you can casually pull it out of your purse and just happen to start commenting on how much you would like to have such-and-such!
Happy Birthday, Dad! (Even if it is a day late.) You don’t mind if I call you dad, do you? 🙂 Hope you had lots of fun!
By-the-way, Mom (Vicki), are you going to let Julie get away with flirting with your husband?