Happy Birthday Dad and Gramma

Iam a little late with this post and to be honest I just thought of posting it tonight but like they (who is they?) say, "better late than never". So, I am posting a Happy Birthday to the world's best Dad and Gramma. I have soooo many great memories of growing up with my Dad. I could talk for hours about all the fun we had with him. I never remember him not being home or when he was home I cannot remember him not playing with us in some sort of way. Even when we were older he would spend all his time at home with us. He built us so many forts and repaired our motorbikes, snowmobiles, cars, and anything else that ever broke. I never realized how great of a Dad he was until I became a Mom. There is something you see differently about your parents when you become a parent. I never knew how much he had to sacrafice for us. Because now I know what it is like to sacrafice for children. He also told us about the gospel. And although I didn't live a life modeling the gospel I knew Christ died for sinners and I was one of them. I love my Dad. "Safe" comes to mind when I think of him. I know that sounds funny but that discribes how I felt and how my life was growing up with him. There were times later on when we all went through some difficult things but the good FAR outway the bad. I could continue on but then I would lose you readers before you get the chance to hear about my Gramma. I know no other women as kind and faithfilled (is that a word?) as her. She has always been a best friend to me. I never thought of her as my best friend when I would have to name them but she really was. Growing up she taught me so much. All the "Gramma" stuff but also important things like caring for others and praying for people. She prays for everyone. I think she might have a direct line to Pat (you VA people know who I mean). Or she should for that matter for all the years she has faithfully gave to him and participated in his prayer chains. I love my Gramma. I am one of her favorites. I kinda like it to. We are alike, Gramma and I. I suppose I will be 80-something oneday driving all my grandkids nuts with snotrags all over the place and my teeth falling out. Until then I will enjoy the sweet memories I have of these two people whom I love and admire so much. I am proud to have been a VanRyckeghem and I can't wait until eternity when we will once again share everyday together (instead of miles apart). I love you two. Happy Birthday and may each day of this new year find you knowing our Savior more.