Happy 80th Birthday, Daddy!

Today my father would have turned 80, if he were still alive. It's kind of weird to think of him being 80; that just sounds so much older. It's also hard to believe he has already been gone for 6 1/2 months. I certainly miss him at times, but I am grateful that he is no longer suffering and know that he is in a better place.

It seems that I've thought about him a lot more with the holiday season and his birthday. Every time I play a game, I miss him. When I have a random chemistry/science question or a financial question, I miss him. There are many little things here and there and random memories which make me think of him. And that's okay; if I didn't miss him then that would mean something was wrong with our relationship, I think.

I am just so grateful for the knowledge that I have of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I know that I can be with my dad again someday. I know that Heavenly Father has a plan and prepared a way for us all to return to Him and be with our families forever. I know that Jesus Christ made it possible for us to have immortality and eternal life. I just hope that I can live worthy to be with God again and with my family for eternity. I hope that one day I can become as good of a person as I know my father was when he left this earthly life and as good of a wife and mother as I know my mother is now, who cared for him so lovingly. Both of my parents have been wonderful examples to me throughout my life, and I hope to be more like them.

Happy 39th Birthday, Daddy! ;-) I love you! :-)