Happy Birthday Dad

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to the most special guy in my life.........my dad! Happy 81st birthday dad, I Love You!

This is a picture of my dad when he was stationed in Austria, how handsome he looks in his uniform.

This picture was taken at my sister Dena's house at our annual Christmas party, 1982.

This is one of my favorite pictures of my dad. It was taken at my wedding in 1986. The look on his face is a result of his surprise, that we got him into a tux. (It took three of us holding him down to get him in that tux, but I think it was worth it as he looks quite dapper, don't ya think?)

Here he is on his 70th birthday with the love of his life.....my stepmom Donna. They shared almost 30 years together. She was such a blessing to my dad and our family. It was hard on all of us when she was called home too early, just one day before her 57th birthday and one month before their 30th wedding anniversary.

My dad and I have always had an easy going, teasing kind of relationship. I remember when I was little one of his friends commented on how much we looked alike and one of us (I can't remember which one of us) said, "Yeah, but he/she is not as good looking as me" That joke has continued my whole life. A couple of years ago, dad was introducing my sister and I to the members of his church and when he came to me he said, "This is my daughter,Toni, who is not as good looking as me". Without missing a beat, I very quickly stood up and asked the congregation if they thought I was better looking than my dad and they unanimously agreed that I was, indeed, better looking. My dad stood there with the biggest smile on his face! I love him. He has worked hard all of his life, in fact, just retiring this past December after working 7 days a week for the past several years, instilling in my sister and I our work ethics. Dad always told us to take pride in whatever job we had and to always be thankful that we had a job. If we were shoveling sh--t, we were to be the best sh--t shovelers anyone had ever seen! When my dad married my mom she already had three children from a previous marriage. Dad was always fair and always willing to forgive our mistakes, which my brothers made a lot of :) My dad always had time for my sister and I and took much pleasure in watching us just being kids. When my sister was 10 and I was 7, he bought us an old 1950's car so that we could drive around the ranch. He said it was just as much a benefit to him as it was a great learning experience for us, for when he was out on the ranch working on equipment, or repairing a fence or whatever, we could drive to the shop and get tools for him :) My sister and I had more fun just driving around the ranch and I really don't remember getting many tools for dad ;)

He was our 4H Beef leader and took us to many a county fair so that we may show our steers and the Angus bulls my sister often showed. My dad was an instrumental part for me in my purchase of my first horse. Dad and I were in the Equestrian Club together, going on wonderful camping trips and riding along fantastic trails. Those were great memories for me that I often recall. We lived a rich life with the love our dad had for us and his pride in our accomplishments. I am the woman I am today because of the loving guidance of my father. I am proud to say that I am the daughter of Ellis Lloyd Palmer!

I Love You Dad, Wishing You a Happy 81st Birthday !

Your Loving Daughter,

Toni