Happy Thoughts - 2 May 2008

Today's happy thought is dedicated to a wonderful man that I met out of pure happenstance.  He just happens to be the father of my husband.  Today is the anniversary of his birth!  Don't ask his age though - he is young at heart!

The first time I met Scott's parents, I didn't really meet them.  A friend of mine came with me to pick Scott up from his house, and we went in the front door, and were directed straight to Scott's room in the basement.  Within 30 seconds, we were up the stairs and out the door.  I am sure there were pleasantries exchanged - "Hi" and "Bye" - although I can't be sure.  I am a very shy person, so it's also entirely possible that I only thought Hello and Goodbye in my head!

If I remember correctly, the next few times I met Scott's parents and family were much the same.  Very quick.  Scott wasn't really big on introductions, and I don't really think any of us knew what to make of the other.  Eventually, my visits got longer, and I got a tiny bit chattier. 

I remember sitting in Scott's parents' living room one afternoon, listening to everyone chat and trying to find a place to jump in.  Dad said something about being in Paris, and I lit up like a lightbulb! 

"I went to Paris!" I blurted out!

And this started the first meaningful conversation I had with Scott's dad, who had been stationed in England in the Air Force, and visited Paris while close by.  Even though our visits to Paris had been twenty years or so apart, we had found common ground.  After discussing France, I learned that my father-in-law loved history.  In fact, he made history interesting to me for the first time in my life. 

For the past twelve years, I've been learning so much about a wide variety of things from my father-in-law - harmonicas, writing, history, kites, music, electronics, games and more.  I feel truly blessed to not only know him, but to be a part of his family. 

Happy Birthday, Dad!