As you who read this blog know, I am the father of four and the grandfather of three. I love all my kids and grandkids dearly.  They make me happy in more ways than I can count. And, one of the REALLY nice things about my situation is that I’ve NEVER changed a diaper in my life.  NEVER! My kids were adopted at ages when they were beyond that…thank God!

So, I ended up with having the best of all worlds – great kids and grandkids, and none of the mess!

As some of you know, I turned fifty-six years old this past Saturday.  I got some truly wonderful and thoughtful gifts from many people, but the gifts that floored me the most were the shows of love FROM SO MANY PEOPLE!

And Mary Ellen , of course, always makes me feel special and loved, and Saturday was no exception. I think she was more excited that I was about all the good things that were happening to me!

The love I received from family and friends was so overwhelming at times that it brought me to tears. I remember saying to Mary Ellen at the end of the weekend, “Wow! I really have a lot of people who love me!”

She just laughed and replied, “Are you just figuring that out now?”

I got dozens of emails and phone calls from friends, and all of my kids came over to visit, and they brought my grandchildren with them.

My daughter, who was adopted when she was nine and who just went through a fairly messy divorce, wrote me the following letter:

“Dad,

Thank you so very much for all that you have done for me over the years! I am so thankful to have such a wonderful father. You have given me so much love and support. I don’t know how I would have gotten through everything without you!

I am so happy to have you in my life!

Thank you again for being such a wonderful dad!!!

I love you very much.

Hope you have a wonderful birthday.”

You see? You don’t need to change a kid’s diapers to bond with them!

I am the luckiest and happiest guy in the whole world.  I’ve got a wonderful wife who loves me even though at times I don’t know why. I am also surrounded with fantastic and loving kids, grandkids and friends.  I’m a very rich man!

Now, let me share with you some pictures of three of the most precious gifts I’ve ever received. The following pictures are of my grandchildren.  Alyssa is seven, Lainie is five, and Nova Ann is two months.

Lainie, Grampy and Alyssa on Grampy's 56th birthday

Lainie and Nova Ann

Grampy and Nova Ann
Alyssa and Nova Ann

Playing the hay loft

Grampy trying to keep up with a seven-year-old
Riding off into the sunset