Happy Birthday, Daddy

December 25, 2006 in Uncategorized

"And in the end, it’s not the years in your life that count. It’s the life in your years." – Abraham Lincoln

Daddy was born on Christmas day, so this day holds several meanings for me, one of which is all about him, his grocery lists and luggage tags, all those monogrammed pancakes, camping in that trusty pop-up Nimrod, and much, much more. So much of what I write is his story, and my story of him, all these too many years after his untimely death at age 53 in 1980.

Happy birthday, Daddy. You would have been 80 years old today. Thanks for being my individualized, personal, 24/7 guardian angel all these many, remarkable, full – and yet lonely for you – years.

About Patti Digh

Patti Digh is an author, speaker, and educator who builds learning communities and gets to the heart of difficult topics. Her work over the last three decades has focused on diversity, inclusion, social justice, and living and working mindfully. She has developed diversity strategies and educational programming for major nonprofit and corporate organizations and has been a featured speaker at many national and international conferences.

9 comments to " Happy Birthday, Daddy "


christy

December 25, 2006 AT 1:53AM

Dear Patti,

here’s to a very full-heart celebration of your special angel who has through you touched so many of us.

and happy holy days of all kinds to you and yours,

love, Christy

Marilyn

December 26, 2006 AT 9:37AM

It sounds like you had a beautiful relationship with him–you must really miss him. And how beautiful to imagine him as your guardian angel–I hope that provides you with some solace. Happy 80th to Patti’s Daddy, wherever you are…thank you for bringing her into the world. She’s a gem…so I’m guessing you were, too.

JanePoe (aka Deborah)

December 26, 2006 AT 3:45PM

Merry Christmas and happy birthday to your angel …

I hope the day held many blessings for you and yours.

Much peace,
JP

Pearl

December 27, 2006 AT 11:24PM

He was a cute boy. It’s good to remember people who influenced us.

dragonflydreamer

December 29, 2006 AT 7:30PM

In reading this post and clicking on your link re:death I found myself deep in thought and very inspired. Your writing is wonderful as it pulls one in and goes beneath the surface to inspire thought and a resolve to live more intentionally. It is wonderful to read about your father and the relationship you shared. Growing up without my father makes me wonder how different I would be if he had been a part of my life. Thanks for sharing your memories.

Maryam in Marrakesh

December 30, 2006 AT 11:55AM

So sweet.

patti digh

December 31, 2006 AT 11:38AM

thanks to all of you for your very sweet notes about Daddy…!

jasper

December 31, 2006 AT 12:30PM

He looks so very, very young and so hopeful of the future. The lyrics of Louis Armstrong song swirl around in my head when I look at photograhs of my dad as a boy or as a young man. And I thought of them when I looked at your father.

It is a lovely song that starts

“We have all the time in the world, time enough for life to unfold, all the precious things that life has in store.”

Heidi

January 2, 2007 AT 6:35PM

Another link between you and me…. my mom died in 1976 at 51. She would have turned 83 this year. I really appreciate how you are able to say the things I feel in my heart as well. I miss her especially at the holidays. Parents are present, even when they are absent. A joyful 2007 to you!