Happy Birthday Dad

This past Tuesday, September 29, was my Dad's birthday. We had a great phone visit and I know that he enjoyed the boys calling that night wishing him a happy day. My dad is a great hero to me. I'm so thankful to have been raised by parents that valued faith and family. I'm not much, but what I am is owed solely to the Lord and my parents. As I thought about what I admire the most about my Dad, many things came to mind...I'll share a couple with you. First, I admire his amazing work ethic. My dad taught and modeled the value and importance of work to me. Dad worked as a tool/dye maker in a machine shop in west Fort Worth for 42 years. Even in the last years of working at Howell Instruments when he became the leader over the fabrication department, he still worked at a machine, getting his hands dirty. He could have coasted at a desk, but that is not him. Even since his "retirement" a few years ago, he is still working for a friend in his machine shop. Hard work, for too many, is a lost thing today. I appreciate a great example to follow in my dad and one to pass to my boys.

Second, I admire his sacrifice. I did not have a wealthy, privileged upbringing. My parents were not "loaded", yet we were rich and I lacked for nothing. My parents sacrificed for me and my sister to do things that they never got to do. The greatest of these gifts for me was sending me to college at Ouachita Baptist University (www.obu.edu). The only college campus my Dad set foot on was the ones that Lori and I attended. He worked, saved, and sacrificed to pay for my education. My 3 years at OBU blessed me incredibly. It was there that I met Melanie, established many lasting friendships, a received a quality education that still gives today. I'm in my second year of serving as a Trustee at OBU...I often think that without the sacrifice of my parents to allow me to attend there years ago, I would not have the opportunities I am blessed with today.

There's lots more I could say, but I'll save some for next year. Happy Birthday Dad...I love you!