Just saw this thread...
My dear Dad will be 85 this Aug.11, the same day our daughter will turn 32! And he has never spent a day in the hospital for any kind of illness! PTL Dad is #8 of 11. Dad is the oldest living of the boys and he has 2 sisters still living, both younger than him. My younger brother, by 16mos. and him still run a consrtuction company. They do residential construction and Robin, my brother FINALLY got him, Dad, to quit climbing up on roofs just last year! Dad grew up on a dairy during the Depression and he says he never knew he was poor. Everyone of that generation I know will say the same thing, amazing. Dad retired from teaching 20something yrs ago. Has a Masters Degree and Administration Certificate. He and Mom traveled with a group called 'Volunteer Christian Builders' until Mom went home to be with her LORD in '96. He served in WWII in the Pacific Theater, came home finished school, got his degree, married, raised 6 of us, 4 boys and 2 girls, yeah, they were spoiled!
and had 44yrs 10 1/2mos with Mom. Owned a gas station/garage in Seattle, Wash., where I was born, in the early/mid '50's then moved us back to TEXAS! Family reunions have be continueous since 1922, the yr before he was born, and have been held every year. (It's a BIG deal with him!) Dad taught me how to work, for which I am forever grateful. Had us on the FRONT row at church EVERYTIME the doors were open. Yes he made mistakes, for which he has asked for forgiveness, but who hasn't. We talk on the phone most every Sunday, I get to hear some of the same stories, no, make that ALL of the stories, over and over again. But that's OK with me. I love my Dad and don't miss a chance to tell him so. Sure miss my Mom....
Thanks KevinD for starting this thread....