Since the inception of this website in 2003, it’s always gone dark on 9/11 – which also happens to be my Dad’s birthday, so I’m posting an early Happy Birthday to him now. He turns 91 this year, and while he’s begun to show his age, we’ve come to appreciate each day he’s here. There were some worrisome stretches last fall, but for 91 years he’s doing pretty well, and I’m extremely grateful he’s got my Mom to help keep him on track. Any birthday appreciation for him must include an equal amount of gratitude for her.
I’ve taken to heart the messages from friends who have lost loved ones, imploring me to make the most of the time we have with our parents, and in that spirit have spent as much time as possible with them. COVID actually impelled us closer, with weekly check-ins and more text communication, and once we got vaccinated we started making weekly visits for dinner. I also got to spend a few overnights with Dad earlier this summer, when Mom went to Boston – all a welcome embrace of the man who raised me. Tomorrow, I’m having him and the family over for a Filipino dinner so today is all about cooking – the same way he used to cook for us as kids.
Happy birthday, Dad! I love you.
