Thursday, March 17, 2011

Happy Birthday Thoughts

Pop in his kilt
March 18 is my birthday.  Pop and I used to share the same birthday and I always thought how unlucky I was to have to share my special day with my dad.  As I gained a little maturity, I began to look forward to birthdays together and having someone to share in the joy of it with me.  This picture of Pop in his kilt is one of the last pictures I ever took of him.  He died suddenly while on vacation in Wilmington, NC when I was 33 years old.  Birthdays haven't been the same for me since he's been gone.  I light  a candle and play our favorite bagpipe tune in remembrance on our birthday before I celebrate with the family.  I miss him some years more than others but I always feel that little part of my birthday is missing, that part where my dad used to be.  Wherever you are, Pop, I hope you're having all the cake icing you want.  It was your favorite part.  I love you.

6 comments:

Tina Donahue said...

That's beautiful, Sarah, and I feel your pain. How lucky you were to have such a wonderful father.

Sarah J. McNeal said...

Thank you, Tina. How sweet of you to drop by.

Cheryl Pierson said...

Sarah,what a grand picture of your dad! That is wonderful. And how neat that you play the bagpipes--I know we've talked about that before--it's something I've always wanted to learn to do. I think all kids have the feeling of not wanting to share their special day with anyone else. When I was pregnant with Casey, he was due on Jessica's birthday! Since I was having a c-section, I was able to manipulate the date some, so I had him on Sept. 8 and her birthday is Sept. 16. To make matters more confusing, my sister's kids are Sept. 6 and Sept. 18th. LOLLOL I know you miss your dad, I miss mine, too. It must be doubly hard on your birthday. Have a happy one, though, and remember the good stuff.
Love you,
Cheryl

Sarah J. McNeal said...

That is so weird about the matching birthdays in your family, Cheryl.
I really appreciate all your kind words and encouragement. You are such a dear. I always look forward to hearing from you and miss you when you get busy.
The bagpipes are hard to play. It takes every scrap of concentration to move the arm up and down and still keep playing the tune. It isn't the breathing that's so terrible, it's that your mouth gets weak if you don't play in a week or more.
I miss my dad but I glad I few remnants of family left. We're going to have a birthday dinner tonight and it's so warm and beautiful out that I want to have it out on the deck. I'm gonna have some fun.

Aileen said...

What a wonderful gift you were to your father! My younger daughter was born the day before her father's birthday and I know how he felt about it. Your father is with you today and every day. Happy birthday!

Sarah J. McNeal said...

Aileen, how sweet that you came to visit my blog. My dad and I had a lot of fun while he was on the Earth. He loved to fish, take walks in the woods and ban birds. My cat used to like to get into the bird trap and munch out on the birds caught for banning. Pop was not so happy about that though. LOL Thanks for dropping by, Aileen.