Happy Birthday Papa!

I am the luckiest girl. I really have been given the greatest parents. My dad is perfect....really. I would say he is a gentle man, very patient, kind, sentimental, and always has a twinkle in his eye. He is incredibly creative and is always coming up with new ideas of things he can do or ways he can do things. He has always let me know how much he loves me and how much he thinks of me. And I love him too. For his birthday Liv sent him an email. I am going to share the email chain, and then explain one of the best lessons I have learned from my dad.

November 4, 2008
email from Olivia to Papa Kent

hapee birthday popop (happy birthday papa). I luv yow. I can spel wrds: cat, dog, hat, frog, car, the, olivia, she, brd (bird), grl (girl), sun, pen, popo, mom, dad, gwen, book, zoo, food, iscreem (ice cream).

Luv Yow- Olivia

Happy Birthday Dad! We love you and wish we could be there with you. Liv has been talking about your birthday for the last 3 days. She doesn't understand why we can't be there. We really love you and can't wait to see you. Hope your birthday is perfect!

Love- Betsy

November 4th 2008
reply from Papa Kent to Olivia and me

Dearest Olivia,
Thank you for the birthday message. It is soooooooo gooooood to hear from you. I miss you and can't wait to see you soon!!!

All my Love,
Papa Kent

Hey Betsy,
Thank you for your email. People all the time ask me why I have that little grin on my face. I have to tell them that it is because of all the many blessings that I have. I just can't contain myself! Each time I think of my "little Betsy" and her special little family I grin even wider. I wish you were here. I am sooo looking forward to your visit. Please give the girls and Brad a big hug for me.

Love,
Dad

November 5, 2008
email from Olivia to Papa

I luv yoo popop

Liv

Reply from Papa

Liv,
I luv yoo too!!

Popop

I hope this email wasn't too personal to share, but I think it is the best description of my dad. As I was thinking about him on his birthday and this email that he sent to Liv and I, I was reminded about one great lesson that I see in my dad. "Count your blessings." My dad is so good at remembering how blessed he is. He really does walk around with a little smile on and a twinkle in his eye. So, I am going to try to do better at counting my many blessings too. Such a perfect reminder for this month. I love you dad and I hope your birthday was a perfect one. I can't wait to see you.....less than a week!!!