63 things about Mike

The kids and I started this list of things about Dad and Granddad. Their contributions are in blue. Hayden got tired I think and interested in a Mavs game. I think it is somewhat harder for him to talk about things. Hannah was busy with homework. So, I wanted to finish and post so it would be posted on his birthday. Hayden says we will add one thing to the list each year. And the other tradition we will start is making a contribution to an organization in Dad's memory. I just haven't figured out where yet. So, here is the list............

1. Born on March 3, 1945
2. Liked drinking DejaBlue Water.
3. He was very nice.
4. Loving his family.
5. Sailing.
6. He was a Lambda Chi.
7. Loving his four sisters, he took care of them when and how he could.
8. Has six nephews.
9. Has four nieces.
10. Having an extensive sailboat collection.
11. He was in the Navy.
12. Loving chocolate cake, every birthday.
13. Being a great friend to many........
14. Eating mac & cheese, creamy mac and cheese, only creamy mac & cheese, he loved creamy mac & cheese..... Oh, and toast with jelly or jam.......... but not apple butter.
15. Drinking coffee with half & half and sweet n low.
16. Watching Dallas Cowboys football.
17. Galaxy Quest, the movie, he liked that movie, you know on his birthday Lauren sent a text to Jill that it was on HBO today, how appropriate.........
18. HGTV, he liked almost all episodes on HGTV
19. Watching old movies
20. Taking us to school in his bathrobe and getting in a fender bender on the way home, oops!
21. Watching movies with Matt
22. Calling to check in with his wife to see when she was coming home
23. Family dinners
24. His smile and laugh and warm hug
25. Thanksgiving with formal place settings and name cards
26. Christmas morning & cinnamon rolls & Orange Juice, and special Christmas gifts in our stockings, usually money to go shopping the day after Christmas......
27. They day Lauren was born, oh, the memories
28. Reading Time magazine and magazines in general
29. Calling to check in with you to see how you were doing
30. Signing his name to your birthday cards "Love Dad"
31. Waiting up for you to come home............
32. Getting his opinion that you needed to help you with life's decisions
33. Worrying about you
34. Being there for our high school graduations
35. Reading the Sunday morning funnies every Sunday
36. Watching many soccer games and tournaments, and coming to dance recitals for his kids and granddaughter
37. Loving us, loving us, loving us.....................
38. Reading the newspaper everyday till the very end
39. Watching Dallas Mavericks basketball and Dallas Stars Hockey
40. Celebrating his birthday at Steak N Ale
41. Helping us with our homework
42. Taking care of his grand babies
43. Reassuring us it would be okay, especially when I was scared before Hannah was born and I was about to have surgery, a c-section.
44. Not eating off paper plates! Nope, no paper plates!!!
45. Saying "hello..........hello............" and "hey, hey"
46. Eating Rice Krispies
47. Fluffing the house. Always.
48. Never liking clutter.
49. Always loving the doggie Laddie that was evident with how much toast and eggs and grits he shared with Laddie. Don't ever let his bark fool you. He loved those doggies, Maggie too.
50. Wanting to be surrounded by family.
51. Singing the John Denver song "Take me Home, Country Road"
52. Sharing his birthday with his interior designer friend, Judy
53. Taking care of his wife "Wake up Shannon!"
54. Making sure his kids were up when they needed to be, ALWAYS..... (sorry to my hubby Kevin, I was very spoiled for very long........ thank you for continuing to spoil me)
55. Taking and making time for family reunions
56. Calling his Mom on Sundays, his niece Kim remembered this when she lived with Mamaw. Mamaw always looked forward to those calls.
57. Watching Matt & Lauren sleep. He said they looked so peaceful.
58. Snuggling with Hannah and Hayden, his babies........... always
59. Loving his nephews like his own kids
60. Remembering birthdays, especially his mom's even when he was in the hospital this past year, he made sure we had something sent from him........
61. Loving us not matter what we did, totally unconditionally
62. Eggs & Grits, but only over easy eggs and grits.
63. He is 63 now in heaven, healed from cancer.

Good night all. My head hurts. My throat hurts and my heart aches. So I must go to bed.