Small Joys–Family
Of course, family is anything but a small joy, but I can’t let March 23, 2021, go by without featuring my father in this blog series. Born just before the great depression in Arkansas, Dad knows what it was like to eat three meals a day of cornmeal mush. A champion high jumper, he knows what it felt like to be disappointed when his six-foot jump (almost unheard of in high school sports of the 1940s) was touted in the headlines of the local sports page as the accomplishment of “Boy McHenry” instead of “Bob McHaney.”
He knows what it was like to be in World War II in the South Pacific as an 18-year-old sailor, who joined young to take advantage of the GI Bill to pay his way through college. He knows what it was like to meet and marry the love of his life. He knows what it was like to raise five children–the joys, the heartaches, the amazement of watching each one grow up to be a good citizen and contributing member of society.
He knows what it is to grow old, to lose his beloved wife, and yet to find the strength to keep on going. And today, March 23, 2021, he knows what it feels like to celebrate his 94th birthday!
Happy Birthday, Dad!
We love you!
Sue