Birthday Memories of my Father

This past Monday would have been my dad’s 66th birthday. It was an emotional day as I worked through the grief of a past celebration reminder. While shopping at the local supermarket after work, I perused the birthday cards on the shelves, eventually finding a Hallmark card that beautifully captured my appreciation for having him in my life for 65 years.

Reading the card made me reminisce about the decades of cards and gifts that I gave to celebrate his birthday. One of the traditions a decade ago was creating a custom video through the website JibJab. For those who are not familiar, JibJab is a media company started in 1999 by Evan and Gregg Spiridellis that created funny, animated satire videos that eventually transpired into personalized e-cards. My dad always loved watching them over the years.

Over the past week, I collated a selection of custom JibJab videos sent to him over the years. Each one elicited laughter, bringing back timeless memories, though the final one brought tears to my eyes.

Dad, while you may be gone, your face on top of an animated body will always make smile. And the messages from all the birthday cards over the years will continue to inspire me to keep making you proud to be your son.

For you, dad, with much appreciation.

There’s a kind of love that dads show silently through kindness, devotion, and service. And this, with its quiet power, means more than anything.

For all the things you have done to make life better for others.

For all the ways you have shown how much you care.

For all the moments you were there to offer your wisdom and guidance.

For all the days you spent working to take good care of your family.

And for all the times you should have heard these words but did not -

You are loved, Dad, and appreciated so very, very much.

Happy Birthday, now and forever!