88

Yesterday my father-in-law celebrated his 88th birthday. WOW! Makes 50 seem really young. I've known this man for 30 years which as I thought about it that means he was just a little older than me when we first met.

I remember that first meeting like it was yesterday. Gary took me to his home on James street in Waukesha Wisconsin. It was a street right off an old 60's family TV show. A big yellow house with a big porch on the front. I immediately liked Gary's parents. They reminded me of Edith and Archie Bunker and it was so fun to listen to them. Eugene (father-in-law) is never at a loss for words and I think everyone should experience going shopping with him. Don't expect to get done quickly because he will want to have a conversation with everyone who will stop long enough to talk with him. It is actually kind of fun, unless you are in a hurry.

So what do you do to celebrate your 88th birthday? In his case you take a trip to South Dakota. Growing up Gary remembers many family trips there and his dad has had a love affair with that state for as long as anyone can remember. With his health and being 88 this is not an easy trip, yet nothing short of death would have stopped him. Gary talked with him yesterday and while he sounded exhausted he also sounded completely content. Gary's sister and her husband made this trip possible by renting a van and committing to do whatever was necessary to make it happen. Thank you would never cover the gratitude we have for them doing that.

I hope when I'm 80 or 90 I'll be able to take a "dream" trip too. It gives one something to look forward to.