Happy Birthday, Dad!
My father is 84 today! And, I will admit that this is not a recent photo for he was just 82 when this picture was taken. Still, he hasn’t changed much.
Look at the eyes! Anything you need to know is in the eyes in this picture. How the hell did he get eyes and a focus like that? Well, to start with, he was born in the middle of a Kansas winter. This past Monday night in Kansas, it was 13 degrees Fahrenheit, –10.5 Celsius, because that’s how December in Kansas is. And he was born at home, weighing between 2 and 2 1/2 pounds – about a kilo for those across one pond or the other. Since it was cold and he was a preemie, he needed an incubator. So, they turned on the oven and set him on the door, a good idea considering that he was turning a little blue! At that point, a theme for a life was set. To quote a famous man, my father himself, “I’m a survivor, baby!”
And that’s just what he has been ever since. Every place he’s gone, he has led. Of course, part of that is because he really isn’t made to follow, something the Army found out on occasion. Part of that is because he never cared much who was following, because he was just doing what he was going to do. The rest of it was always having a very clear sense of himself and his purpose. He was a successful coach, a successful Principal, a successful teacher, a successful meter reader, a successful road gang worker and could have been a successful lawyer, preacher or businessman. The kids, teachers and parents loved him. Show him a need and he has always exceeded it. Give him a nut and a wrench and that sucker was welded! But, I’ve got to tell you, play poker with him at your own risk! Show him a rule and … well, he might follow it if it makes sense anyway. But nothing goes out of control.
Dad’s a specialist at living life and some of my best formative years were spent talking with him about – well, about anything. Nothing was or is off limits. We talk religion, we talk politics, we talk events, we talk sports and we always talk meaning. He never has taken time out of his life to talk with me, he’s always wanted to do it and a kid can tell the difference. His kids at school could, too. So could a couple of Jehovah’s Witnesses, LOL.
He’s had a pretty good knack for making choices in his life, too.
And, you know the best part of all. He isn’t living his life looking in the rear view mirror. He’s living it like he always has, moving ahead, with a purpose and glad to be alive! Survive, baby!
Happy 84th!!
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Happy Birthday Joe!
What liquid chocolate eyes, and that photo was long before Photoshop! Conrad I see you in that face.
I love the story about the oven for heat. You have to be tough to survive.
Grannymar´s last blog ..A Big Flash
I knew a couple of ’sugar bag’ babies, – a kilo or under. Jack was one, a drawer was removed and lined with a folded blanket and used as a draught free cot/crib for him.
My brother two years above me was two pounds exactly, mammy had carried him for just under six months. He had no hair, eyelashes or nails; his skin was porous. My parents were told they might as well take him home to die. They did and and the Paediatrician and a nurse came with them. A small cot/crib was purchased and a large bulb rigged above it for heat. We was cleaned with olive oil and cotton wool. Food was given by medicine dropper, every hour on the hour.
About a month ago at the age of 64 he became a very proud grandfather for the first time!
Grannymar´s last blog ..A Big Flash
Conrad, please convey my birthday greetings and best wishes for many happy returns to your father. This is a fantastic post for a tribute from a son to a father. I now understand where you come from. With parents like that, it is no brainer. Congratulations to you too.
Rummuser´s last blog ..Guess What Becomes Guess Who.
Conrad -
What a wonderful tribute to a wonderful man! I think that photo looks just exactly like the younger version of Conrad that I went to school with – just a couple of years ago!
Happy Birthday to Joe Hake!
Corky was a stunningly gorgeous woman also & still is!
That is such a lovely post.
Conrad, great post today.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY JOE!!!!!!!
Congratulations to you all!
Cheerful Monk´s last blog ..Feigning Incompetence
Did you notice how sweet my comment above was? The sensitivity class has made me a new woman.
Con,
As you know, your father does not type so he asked me to do this for him (he does not type because his typing teacher asked him to please find another course to take the second semester of his senior year, lol). He has always been one to do things HIS way but he has also always been known for being exceedingly fair. He is a bit ornery when the mood hits him but he is also a lot of fun. He takes no nonsence from child or adult but as you know from your many long talks he gets what he expects from child or adult. He told me to tell you that he could see through you and that is why the two of you get along so well at this stage of your lives.
This post deeply touched him and he wants you to know that he loves you almost as much as I do, lol.
He thanks your people for the kind replies sent his way.
Dad
Joe/Corky
Tell him that seeing through someone as transparent as I am is one of his lesser feats!!! LOL He knows how deep the love and respect run. I’m glad he likes it.
Gail, you are always sweet and we know your heart. Now, how much did you say I owe that trainer?
I will pay the trainer because I LOVE what I am learning.
Conrad you were a country boy in Kansas. Now you’re a city man outside of San Francisco, but you’re still that same funny kid/guy.
Also you will always be a survivor, baby. Just like your father very place you go you will lead. You have a very clear sense of self and your purpose.
Everybody loves you. Show a need and you will always exceed it. You are a specialist at living life,
moving ahead, with a purpose and glad to be alive!
And all this because your Dad talked with you–a LOT!
We all love your blog!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Grannymar – I absolutely love that term ’sugar bag’ babies! Some of the best seem to have been little sugar bags, sweet from the word go. That is what the Dr. tells the mom, right? – Go.
Thank you, Ramana. I treasure my lineage!
Yeah, Mom is gorgeous – but, of course I am biased. Dad had that wavy hair and mine was straight and cut in the Frankenstein flattop so popular at the time (man was THAT easy to take care of!). Other than that, we have a lot of facial similarities.
Mayo, he has already received your well wishes! Thank you.
Thanks, Jean.
THANK YOU, GAIL!!!!
Hey, it must be getting hot down under about now! I know, because it is becoming cold up here.
Conrad, the wonder of those ’sugar bag’ babies was that they survived without the incubators and modern day equipment of today. As someone said one day about my brother ” He lived for spite”! There was always a very special bond between him and my mother. With all that love invested in keeping him alive, I am not surprised.
Grannymar´s last blog ..A Big Flash
Yes, it is becoming quite warm here in Australia.
Gail -
OMG you have “unbagged” yourself and you look truly lovely! So nice to see your pretty face!
I ws touched by this beautiful tribute to your father. and especially his response to you. I grew up hearing stories of my Aunt May who when born fit in a shoe box and was also incubated by the warmth of the stove.
Wow, Maria. That’s got to be smaller than a sugar bag baby!!
A very happy birthday to your Dad Conrad
May the good times keep on coming!
What a handsome man! Those eyes are hypnotic!
Happy Birthday, Conrad’s Dad! I hope it was a wonderful one. I LOVE the pictures. What a gorgeous couple your parents were. x
Helen McGinn´s last blog ..Bleedin’ moron
Delirious – first, welcome! – and second, channeling my father, thank you so much!
They were and are a couple of lookers, Helen. Like I say … so many things seem to skip a generation!