Happy Birthday Grandpa. And for the record, you don't look 79 at all. 73, 74 tops.
I have thousands of great Grandpa memories (most of which involve bad jokes) but the thing that I think about first when I think about what Grandpa means to me and the family is his quiet dignity. I really respect the life he leads and the tone he has set for his family.
Happy B-Day dad! 79 is still young. Not sure why Daniel associates bad jokes with you. Corny some times but always made me laugh. The pranks are more memorable to me. Like the time you told me, over the phone, to stand back while you cleared the line. And I did...til I figured out the joke was on me. That was funny. Now the whole Bertha thing wasn't all that funny. But I am glad you still enjoy it. I now think its funniest how you mix granola with every food imaginable. But it must work. You're healthy! I just am not bought into the idea yet that granola is a universal ingredient. Tasted terrible when I put it on my popcorn. Speaking of the movies, I am an admitted Don Knotts fan too--having sort of been forced to watch every show and movie he ever made. 3 stooges too. Thanks for that Dad. But I am thankful for all you taught me--integrity being right there at the top. Again, Happy B Day. Love you.
Happy birthday Grandpa! My all time favorite memory of you is most definitely our thumb twiddling sessions when I was a little kid, and the wooden thumb twiddler you had. Every once in a while I'll catch my self twiddling my thumbs during a dull class or at work haha.
Happy birthday and I'm looking forward to seeing you and Grandma for lunch this week.
For the record I do feel more like I do now than I did a while ago because I am optimistically pessimistic. That's two of your corny jokes into one.
I love and respect you in so many ways. Your heart for God and His people has always been an example to me. I love how you've been a blessing to so many lives and that you still continue to strive to help people.
You are a very wise person. I love you and Happy Birthday.
Some of my favorite stories are riding in the yellow truck, taking an airplane ride, ride a little horsey, calling Grandma Betty Fern when you got frustrated, your laugh that looks like you're trying to hold it in, and I have many more.
Good point Matt--Dad screwed me up forever because I could never figure out if I felt more like I do now than I did a little while ago even though I was sure I should feel better now than before but really wasn't sure if I felt good a while ago while hoping to feel better in a little while. So confusing...and explains why I have always been so conflicted.
ah...some of you are forgetting dad's REAL legacy! It isn't the jokes....IT'S THE BIG HEAD WE ALL HAVE. And to add insult to injury, the one joke he told me as a teen age girl, that made HIM laugh every time was, "Phyllis, want to know how to lose ten pounds of fat? Cut off your head." I thought it was the dumbest joke ever and he would laugh every time he would tell it. Funny how I can't remember jokes, but I remember that one. Cole totally has a picture of dad in his mind living with the weasel. He will make mention to me once in awhile about Papa and his weasel...like they are a duo.
Dad always lived integrity. I learned the gift of giving from him. Dad always was generous with anyone in need, always wanted God's work to have his money, and he was a friend of missionaries. Only when I get to heaven will I know all the lives that have been touched by dad's quiet tutorship and basic, solid, Bible teaching. When other preachers relied on antics and drama...dad relied on good preparation and a solid Biblical message...and living the real life.
With that said...he does have a weird sense of humor, some odd cures for things (Hall's cough drops cure more than any of you will ever know), some puzzling observations (your mouth will curve towards the side of your head which holds the ear with the least hearing ability), and he can spot bi-polar people a mile away.
Happy Birthday Grandpa Thompson. I hope your day is a good one, many people love and cherish you including me! As for memories I always enjoy your jokes, you tell them with such joy.
Yo...Gramps..Happy Birthday! If i was with you on your birthday, I would have gotten you eggs and bacon like you always told us we would get on Christmas.
My fondest memory of you is how you used to let me hold your hand to fall asleep because i was afraid the boogie man would come out from the corn fields to get me. Its funny, cause Sepporah used to have to rub my skin and play with my ear to fall asleep...its funny how genetics work. I love you Grandpa! Happy Birthday!
Uh, don't forget the all curing tootsie roll. Dad insisted, while I was in the hospital, that a good tootsie roll would help me sleep--I think that was the recommendation. All I remember was thinking I can't even digest kool-aid--and he keeps telling me about the magic properties of a tootsie roll. Too funny! : ) As for the big head--indeed, I love hats but finding a good 7 5/8's is no easy task. But I agree with Phyllis--the whole generosity used to really puzzle me. He was ALWAYS the first at church to drop a gift in the plate and I wondered then why he did it--considering he was basically giving money back to the church that paid him. Over time I realized who he was really giving it too. Made quite an impression and taught me the valuable lesson of God's faithfulness to those who are humble, and faithful themselves. Last bit--he ALWAYS insisted on NEVER being in a compromising situation--like alone with a woman for counseling, or debating an issue without witnesses, etc. I've practiced his teachings all my life and am thrilled to know I am still happily married 30 years later because of. So Dad, your 79 years of wisdom and kindness have effects you'll never realize. Thanks. Love you. Even though you always teased me about drawing flies. BTW--Dad is the one who got me hooked on drawing--used to sit me on his lap and draw cartoons for me. I always thought he was a closet artist. And now I do draw flies quite nicely.
I am sorry I did not get to post yesterday. I was busy helping Sarah select table cloths, cak and flowers. She is so thrilled you will be the one officiating at her wedding. Well, I remember all the corny jokes but I most remember that "There is a place for everything and everything should be in it's place!" Or the advise to listen much and talk little. We also learned from both mom and dad to be aware of others and I find myself leaving the last bites in the bowl just like Dad always did in case someone else would like another spoon full. I am desperately hoping i have inherited the silver hair so I can one day stop coloring my hair and be silver just like grandma Waldron and dad! I know I have inherited so much more however and that most lessons are caught not taught. Thank you for teaching us in word and deed.
For the record, I talked to Dad on his birthday. He had finished dinner.
He made his own dinner. He combined cottage cheese, blueberry yogurt, some blueberries mom had in the freezer, and some peanuts. Mixed it all together and ate it. He thinks mom isn't sleeping well because she does things like eat leftover pork chops for dinner. He is sleeping well and attributes it to his food. Dad...for your sake I hope there is yogurt in heaven.
I just heard a piece on NPR where they interviewed this scientist who was talking about research into yogurt over the past 5 years and how it has proved to be a health benefit, especially to people with compromised immune systems. They are recommending it as a last ditch substitute in really poor parts of the world where the epidemic is high. Apparently yogurt is a living organism and the bacteria in it does good things for the body.
15 comments:
Happy Birthday Grandpa. And for the record, you don't look 79 at all. 73, 74 tops.
I have thousands of great Grandpa memories (most of which involve bad jokes) but the thing that I think about first when I think about what Grandpa means to me and the family is his quiet dignity. I really respect the life he leads and the tone he has set for his family.
Happy Birthday Grandpa.
Happy B-Day dad! 79 is still young. Not sure why Daniel associates bad jokes with you. Corny some times but always made me laugh. The pranks are more memorable to me. Like the time you told me, over the phone, to stand back while you cleared the line. And I did...til I figured out the joke was on me. That was funny. Now the whole Bertha thing wasn't all that funny. But I am glad you still enjoy it. I now think its funniest how you mix granola with every food imaginable. But it must work. You're healthy! I just am not bought into the idea yet that granola is a universal ingredient. Tasted terrible when I put it on my popcorn. Speaking of the movies, I am an admitted Don Knotts fan too--having sort of been forced to watch every show and movie he ever made. 3 stooges too. Thanks for that Dad. But I am thankful for all you taught me--integrity being right there at the top. Again, Happy B Day. Love you.
Happy birthday Grandpa! My all time favorite memory of you is most definitely our thumb twiddling sessions when I was a little kid, and the wooden thumb twiddler you had. Every once in a while I'll catch my self twiddling my thumbs during a dull class or at work haha.
Happy birthday and I'm looking forward to seeing you and Grandma for lunch this week.
Grandpa,
For the record I do feel more like I do now than I did a while ago because I am optimistically pessimistic. That's two of your corny jokes into one.
I love and respect you in so many ways. Your heart for God and His people has always been an example to me. I love how you've been a blessing to so many lives and that you still continue to strive to help people.
You are a very wise person. I love you and Happy Birthday.
Some of my favorite stories are riding in the yellow truck, taking an airplane ride, ride a little horsey, calling Grandma Betty Fern when you got frustrated, your laugh that looks like you're trying to hold it in, and I have many more.
Good point Matt--Dad screwed me up forever because I could never figure out if I felt more like I do now than I did a little while ago even though I was sure I should feel better now than before but really wasn't sure if I felt good a while ago while hoping to feel better in a little while. So confusing...and explains why I have always been so conflicted.
You're right, Stephen. There is a fine distinction between bad and corny jokes, and Grandpa's always landed in the latter category.
My own sense of humor is punishingly corny. Maybe this is the Thompson legacy?
ah...some of you are forgetting dad's REAL legacy! It isn't the jokes....IT'S THE BIG HEAD WE ALL HAVE. And to add insult to injury, the one joke he told me as a teen age girl, that made HIM laugh every time was, "Phyllis, want to know how to lose ten pounds of fat? Cut off your head." I thought it was the dumbest joke ever and he would laugh every time he would tell it.
Funny how I can't remember jokes, but I remember that one.
Cole totally has a picture of dad in his mind living with the weasel.
He will make mention to me once in awhile about Papa and his weasel...like they are a duo.
Dad always lived integrity. I learned the gift of giving from him. Dad always was generous with anyone in need, always wanted God's work to have his money, and he was a friend of missionaries. Only when I get to heaven will I know all the lives that have been touched by dad's quiet tutorship and basic, solid, Bible teaching. When other preachers relied on antics and drama...dad relied on good preparation and a solid Biblical message...and living the real life.
With that said...he does have a weird sense of humor, some odd cures for things (Hall's cough drops cure more than any of you will ever know), some puzzling observations (your mouth will curve towards the side of your head which holds the ear with the least hearing ability), and he can spot bi-polar people a mile away.
But I love him. Happy Birthday Dad!
Happy Birthday Grandpa Thompson. I hope your day is a good one, many people love and cherish you including me!
As for memories I always enjoy your jokes, you tell them with such joy.
Yo...Gramps..Happy Birthday! If i was with you on your birthday, I would have gotten you eggs and bacon like you always told us we would get on Christmas.
My fondest memory of you is how you used to let me hold your hand to fall asleep because i was afraid the boogie man would come out from the corn fields to get me. Its funny, cause Sepporah used to have to rub my skin and play with my ear to fall asleep...its funny how genetics work. I love you Grandpa! Happy Birthday!
The thing that all of you forgot was the cure for everything, UNGUENTINE.
We have had fun reading all that you all have written.
Uh, don't forget the all curing tootsie roll. Dad insisted, while I was in the hospital, that a good tootsie roll would help me sleep--I think that was the recommendation. All I remember was thinking I can't even digest kool-aid--and he keeps telling me about the magic properties of a tootsie roll. Too funny! : ) As for the big head--indeed, I love hats but finding a good 7 5/8's is no easy task. But I agree with Phyllis--the whole generosity used to really puzzle me. He was ALWAYS the first at church to drop a gift in the plate and I wondered then why he did it--considering he was basically giving money back to the church that paid him. Over time I realized who he was really giving it too. Made quite an impression and taught me the valuable lesson of God's faithfulness to those who are humble, and faithful themselves. Last bit--he ALWAYS insisted on NEVER being in a compromising situation--like alone with a woman for counseling, or debating an issue without witnesses, etc. I've practiced his teachings all my life and am thrilled to know I am still happily married 30 years later because of. So Dad, your 79 years of wisdom and kindness have effects you'll never realize. Thanks. Love you. Even though you always teased me about drawing flies. BTW--Dad is the one who got me hooked on drawing--used to sit me on his lap and draw cartoons for me. I always thought he was a closet artist. And now I do draw flies quite nicely.
I am sorry I did not get to post yesterday. I was busy helping Sarah select table cloths, cak and flowers. She is so thrilled you will be the one officiating at her wedding.
Well, I remember all the corny jokes but I most remember that "There is a place for everything and everything should be in it's place!" Or the advise to listen much and talk little. We also learned from both mom and dad to be aware of others and I find myself leaving the last bites in the bowl just like Dad always did in case someone else would like another spoon full. I am desperately hoping i have inherited the silver hair so I can one day stop coloring my hair and be silver just like grandma Waldron and dad! I know I have inherited so much more however and that most lessons are caught not taught. Thank you for teaching us in word and deed.
For the record, I talked to Dad on his birthday. He had finished dinner.
He made his own dinner. He combined cottage cheese, blueberry yogurt, some blueberries mom had in the freezer, and some peanuts. Mixed it all together and ate it. He thinks mom isn't sleeping well because she does things like eat leftover pork chops for dinner. He is sleeping well and attributes it to his food.
Dad...for your sake I hope there is yogurt in heaven.
I just heard a piece on NPR where they interviewed this scientist who was talking about research into yogurt over the past 5 years and how it has proved to be a health benefit, especially to people with compromised immune systems. They are recommending it as a last ditch substitute in really poor parts of the world where the epidemic is high. Apparently yogurt is a living organism and the bacteria in it does good things for the body.
I just want to be able to go to Cracker Barrel and order the "cottage cheese/yogurt/blueberry/peanut special."
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