How to even begin…

Well, how about a “hello” to start us off.  How about an “I miss you beyond so, so, so much more than words could ever convey.”  How about “given all that’s happened, though, we are doing better than well, and I know that you’d be so damn proud of us—of all of us.”

Mom is blossoming beautifully in every single aspect of life.  She has found a fine her-age man who loves and respects her to the utmost degree to which, I believe, you’d approve.  She has found passion in her work and is slowly but surely learning to choose her battles wisely.  Needless to say, your admonishments for the last three decades to not over-commit have not been in vain.  She has discovered a lot of things in the time you’ve been gone.  Though most importantly, she has discovered Jesus, and He has changed everything for her and for the better.

David and Cheree continue to be two of the hardest workers I know.  They are the best oldest siblings I could have ever asked for.  You’d be so extremely proud of them, especially of David and the family he is leading and the values he is instilling in Caleb (and will instill in the second Iso Peanut to come).  He has really stepped up to the plate of responsibility and takes exceptional care to look after Mom and the brothers and me.  He truly is in a league of his own, and to be honest, he reminds me so very much of you.

Chris is back in Hawaii and working hard to fix up his new place.  He wasn’t too crazy about the move home at first, but I believe it was the right and wiser decision for him.  Since then, I have noticed a significant increase of depth and maturity through my conversations with him, and I feel his “I love you’s” bear more weight and sincerity with every one said.  He really is a fine young man, and though he may have required more parent-teacher conferences than the rest of us combined and still leaves his T-shirts all over the apartment, you have absolutely nothing to worry about.  You have taught him well and loved him hard, through and through.  He is your son, and as they say, the apple cannot fall very far from the tree.

Then there’s Brad.  You know we’ve always been really close.  From building Area 51 to watching cartoons at 5 AM in the morning together, he’s always been like my twin who happened to be born a year-and-a-half a head of me.  Well, he is also doing superbly well, apart from the fact that he has more mystery ailments than an 80-year old.  Still, in the last couple of years, he has displayed an outstanding amount of patience and perseverance.  For despite being put down several times, he always manages to get back up with the kind of determination that would wow your black Hanes crew socks off.  He is indeed one of my favorite people in the world to talk to and an immense joy and encouragement to be around.

And as for me, well, I am continuing to learn and grow a little more every day–learning as I get older just how much of an amazing, incredible, sensational, remarkable, extraordinary, inspiring, and loving dad you were and growing in gratefulness for your sacrifice.  Thank you.  From the bottom of my heart and on behalf of the family you have invested so much of yourself into, thank you.

We love you and we miss you.

Happy 60th Birthday, Dad.

Ps.  Give Aunty Annie and Grandma Young a huuuge hug for us!