On Tuesday April 08, 2008 my Dad will be 74 years of age.  Due to that the family, ie., my brother and sisters, and our children gathered together on Sunday April 06, and had a birthday dinner for Dad.  Since I was a child I can remember Dad’s family, ie., his brother and sisters getting together on his birthday and their’s too.

Now that has basically come down to just his children and grandchildren.  Part of that due to the deaths of Dad’s brother a few years back, the death of a brother in law about three years ago, the death of another brother in law just a month or so ago, and then on Thursday the death of a grand neice, due to a stroke at the age of 41.  That was the grand-daughter of Dad’s sister.

This was a birthday get together.  This Blankenship family is all a pretty happy bunch of people.  We love each other; and that is not to say we don’t have our problems; and we do love our get togethers.  We will probably be getting together on Mom’s birthday too.  That will be in June.

I keep meaning to get over and visit with Mom and Dad more than I do, but I don’t do it.  It is good to see them when I do.  I am going to need to get over to the place and work on the old barn.  That is told about over at Life On The Farm.  The farm is on the place my Dad was born, raised and grew up.  It sets near the banks of Flat Creek, and it is a beautiful farm.  That is for another time and day, soon I pray.

There was only one of our children absent from this get together, but that couldn’t be helped, living as far away as they do, and they have been up quite a bit recently.  The price of gasoline is getting to be a major budget problem.

When we get together on Sundays my wife and I cannot stay too long due to the fact that I preach on Sunday nights just like I do on Sunday mornings, and we must get away to get back to church on time, and I also usually need a little time to look over my notes for the evening message too.  It is good to be with Mom and Dad, the brother and sisters, their kids, grandkids, and our kids and grandkids.

Happy 74th Birthday Dad.

by Tim A. Blankenship