To The Dad

Hey Dad, i hope your birthday was real good. It would have been nice to give you somethin big. Thanks for all that you do for me and for all of us kids. You taught me a lot of things dad, but one thing i think that i really learned from watching you is that you always try to make others happy. You always taught us to be nice and to not fight. I'm so glad you are my dad.

You have also always been the best source for some laughs. If we ever needed anyone to make fun of you always came through with something. You are such a fun guy to be around. Thanks for always making us laugh. You always used to do things with me when i was little. I'd always go to the store with you and help you do whatever you were doing. You'd always let me help you steer the car even when i was pretty little. Thanks for always wanting to do fun things with me, i never really remember you telling me that you were too busy for me or anything like that. I could always ask you to do something and you'd be right there to do it with me.

I don't know why dad, but i'm just having a hard time saying what i want to say. There are lots of things you've done for me and memories of you being a great dad. Its hard for me to express to you how valuable you have been in my life. Thank you for all the help you gave me. You didn't get mad at me or yell at me. When i made my mistakes you just wanted to help me. You did help me a whole lot dad. There were times when i really needed a dad to help direct me and tell me that i was still ok and i could make everything right. I'm glad you were there to help me with my struggles in life dad. I owe you lots for all you've done for me.

Thanks for being a great example dad. I wish things could have been easier for you in life as a dad. You had a hard time sometimes with jobs and stuff like that and i'm glad you are the man you are to get through it anyway.

I'd like to be able to say more, but 1, i have to go to work, and 2, i have to go to work. But, i love you dad. I could say thanks a whole lot more times but it wouldn't really do the trick. I hope you know that i love you and your family loves you. I would do anything to help you if you needed. You've always been there for me and i always want to follow your example and be there for you. Thanks for teaching me the gospel and what is right and wrong. I wouldn't have ended up where i am now without you buddy. I know you wondered sometimes when i made mistakes in life if there was something you did wrong as a dad. You did a great job as a dad though, and i owe you.

I love you dad. I'm glad you are my friend. I'm glad we can do things together. Have a great birthday time, and be good.
love, Geoff

Happy Birthday Dad

Happy Birthday Dad.  I hope you had a great day.  Thanks for all you do for me.  Here are some thoughts and memories I have:

• My favorite memory is when I was little and went with you when you were looking for a job.  I felt very important.  I remember that we got to eat in some cafeteria too.
• I always liked riding on your shoulders.  I don't remember exactly when I got too big for you to carry me anymore.
• I loved it when you coached my soccer teams.  You did a great job.  It means a lot to me that you cared enough to spend time to do that.  I'll always remember the year that we took 1st place fall and spring, and won the Commissioner's Cup.  And that we were undefeated except for the game that I had to leave at halftime for some violin thing (and we ended up tying that game).  Even though you hadn't played a lot of soccer yourself, you were always prepared and made sure our team did well and had fun.  You were the best coach I had.  
• I miss working out with you at the bubble.  That was a lot of fun.  And playing racquetball.  I'm glad that you have been able to work hard and get in shape.  It's neat that you can enjoy doing your races.
• I remember one time before school (I think I was in 7th grade).  I was getting in trouble like usual, and you tried to whip me with a belt.  I was trying to get away, and you ended up getting me right across the face.  It left a pretty good welt.  I think you felt really bad about it.  When you were dropping me off at school, I asked if you had a dollar I could have.  You gave me one.  For the next while, when you would drop me off, I would usually ask for a dollar or some change so I could buy some candy or a soda.  You would always give me some.  I guess what I'm trying to say is that getting whipped in the face worked out pretty well for me.
• I'm glad that you came on several camping trips with me for scouts and young mens.  Not a lot of dads came to stuff like that.  We had a lot of fun on those, and we made a lot of good memories.  I also remember how much everyone else loved you going camping with us too.  All of the young men enjoyed you being around.
• You were always generous and giving to us.  I know we didn't have a lot when I was growing up.  Whenever we didn't have enough of something, you never hesitated to go without.  Whenever any of us asked you for something, you gave it to us.  You always wanted us to be happy and taken care of.
• I'm sure I'm forgetting lots of stuff.  You taught me how to drive with your old silver Ford (with its touchy clutch), we wrestled and I ended up with stitches in the back of my head, hearing your stories of growing up by Bear Lake, etc.  Anyway, thanks for being my Dad.

To my favorite dad

One more rhyme and that is it,
For you Dad, I'll write a little bit.
Why are there so many birthdays in a year?
I feel like writing poems has become my career.
But Dad, it's your birthday and you are great.
Remember when you made me clean my whole plate?
It was carrots, and I didn't like them too well.
They came back up and I said farewell
To eating cooked carrots ever again.
Not in the kitchen and not in the den.
But I feel like I've gotten off topic a bit.
It happens too easy, I have to admit.
You're an awesome Dad, and an inspiration.
There's one thing you aren't, and that is Haitian.
Not many people can do what you do,
Whether they're twenty or a hundred and two.
You do all those races and other fun stuff.
All of that working out's making you buff.
You're a wonderful man, and you're very kind.
A better Dad, I could never hope to find.
You're always willing to lend a hand,
You helped me put a garden on my land.
You're always there when I need you
Even when I didn't have a clue
About how much you did for us
Even when you were a bit gaseous.
Well, Dad, I think that's all I've got.
I hope you know I love you a lot.

Happy Birthday Papa!

I wouldn't trade my Papa for anyone!  I'm glad to be a part of your family and to follow your example.  I have many good memories with you throughout the years.

First, I remember the love and support that you gave me on my mission.  It was always good to get your letters and emails.  It was good to hear how you went to the temple often and how your callings were going.  It was great to hear a couple of your mission experiences too.  Thanks for taking care of my finance stuff while I was gone.

I remember waking up to do newspapers.  It taught me how to be dedicated and do thing even if I didn't want to do them.  I was happy to get a little spending money when I was little.  A lot of that went to candy, but I did pay tithing and learned how to save.  I remember going to America First to open up a savings account.  I felt so rich with that minimum of $25 in there.

I remember playing racquetball a couple times with you.  We should have played more because it was fun and you were getting better at it.

It was such a great experience to run in the Ragnar Race with you.  You've given me tons of invites for the triathlons and races that you do and I was glad I committed to do one.  You're a great example of setting goals and getting them accomplished.

I've enjoyed the few lunches that we've been able to go on and talk.  I'm not always eager to talk about dating and stuff like that, but we have had some great talks and I value your counsel and your advice.

Something that kids don't really notice and appreciate as they're growing up is how much their Dad does for them.  I'm not sure I'd want to calculate how much I've cost, but I'm sure I'd never be able to repay it all.  Thanks for sacrificing your time and going to work so that we could have an enjoyable life.

It is great to have a father that I can emulate and follow.  I know that you can lead our family back to our Heavenly Father.  Thanks again for your testimony and all that you have taught us.

Adam

Happy Birthday, Dad!!

Well, Dad... it's your birthday. And since you're the best dad a girl could ask for, I'm going to write some stuff here for you. :)

Remember that time when you went looking for me when I hadn't even reached curfew yet? And then when you got home and I was already there you were so mad at me? I joke about it, and think it was pretty funny, but what it really shows me is that you cared... a lot. Maybe even too much. :) I always knew that you loved me and were very concerned for my welfare, and that you wanted me to always be safe and happy.

Remember that time that you decided you wanted to run Wasatch Back? ;) I am still amazed that you got so many people to do it with you... including my run-hating husband. (Well, he pretends to hate running.) It was such a neat experience for so many people, and it was all because of you. I was so proud of you during that race.

And speaking of races... I am so proud of you for all of the races and triathlons you do. You are constantly challenging yourself, and pushing yourself to do something that I'm sure a few years ago would have seemed impossible. You are a big part of the reason I decided to run a marathon this year. (I'll let you know if I should thank you or curse you for that after Saturday). You are an inspiration to many people, and I'm always proud to tell people that my dad is a triathlete.

There are so many things I could write about you... about how much I love talking to you, about how I love your tender heart (and thanks for helping mom give me the crying gene... ;), about how much I appreciate your desire to make everyone happy, even if it doesn't work all the time, and SO many more things. You are such a good example to me in so many ways, and I can honestly say that I am the luckiest girl in the world to have you as my dad.

I love you, Dad! Happy Birthday!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MY LOVE

I fell in love with you the first time I met you. After our first date I told my parents that I had met the man I would marry. They just laughed. I enjoyed dating you, and always felt safe and secure. I enjoyed those long talks about our families and about life. We could talk about anything. Most of all, I loved the look in your eyes, for that is the way that I knew you loved me, too.

We have been through some tough times together, things that could ruin us. But our love grew, dispite hard times. You have been a good father and a good husband. You have sacrificed so much for us. How many men would get up at 2:00 a.m. and go to work to support us? You work hard, and also carry out your church callings faithfully.

Thanks for being mine,
Tammy