Spon: www.cailorfleming.com/ https://chickfilasouthernpark.com/ https://www.hbkcpa.com/consultants/joshua-j-zarlenga/ Jn 15 "...This I command you: love one another.”It's my brother-on-law Ken's birthday today. It's a big one for him. 35! (Okay a few more but it's his birthday and I want him to be happy.) Ken's a great Dad, son, brother, uncle, and friend. He's kind and thoughtful and funny and loves seriously scary metal music and all things Cleveland sports. I hope his day is filled with all the good things he deserves. Today is a big day for me for another reason: it is my Pop's birthday. He would have been 85. Now, my Father was not one to be made a fuss over. He didn't like big announcements, lavish gatherings, Hallmark cards, or grandiose birthday plans. In fact, his favorite treat was the homemade apple pie my Mother ALWAYS baked for him. He'd much rather have had a note hand-scrawled on a napkin from one of his kids, grand kids, loved ones, or pals than some fancy card or pricey present. Pop didn't care about expensive gifts and certainly would never condone a public display of his birthday in a restaurant or any other setting; he wasn't all about any of that. Shoot, if he read this blog, he'd yell at me for mentioning him. "Damnit, Bone!" he'd say; he was super private. Man, I had no idea how much I'd miss hearing him chastise me...or saying anything at all. He was always the first one to read my column every Sunday, no matter the topic and he'd always offer thoughts on it. I think chatting with him about it; that's one of the things I miss the most. Anyway, we always fretted over what to get him for his birthday because he honestly didn't want anything other than to share a meal and quality time with his family. In fact, a lunch at Bob Evans suited him just fine as a big birthday bash ---as long as no one in the restaurant knew it was his birthday, mind you. He preferred plain, blue shirts, anything he could use for his garden, and a random scratch off ticket. We usually wound up getting him gift cards to Home Depot and DIY so he could buy something to use tilling the soil, etc. What my Dad DID love was having his family gathered around him, enjoying a homemade meal ("Mangia!" I can hear him shouting), robust conversation, hearty laughs, and even decadent dolce (dessert) once in a while. He liked a funny card every now again, especially something irreverent or a little tongue-in-cheek, Capisce? Now that he's celebrating in the best of all places, I hope he's listening to Pavarotti, splurging on some authentic Italian gelato, and knowing how much his baby girl misses and loves him. Buon Compleanno y Ti Amo, Papa. #IMissYouDad #LoveYouPop #Hope #Faith #Family #Pray
3 Comments
Gina
5/15/2020 08:22:13 am
Beautiful tribute, Bone!
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Kim
5/15/2020 09:21:54 am
So sweetly said!! Happy birthday to 2 very special people!
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Shelley Swezey
5/15/2020 09:23:35 am
Hugs to you, PK! Today is also my mom's birthday, how about that!? She turns 86 today...but you would never know it! I am so blessed to have my mom still here with me. Take care, Shell
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