Happy birthday, Dad!

Happy birthday to my DAD, who is one year short of a very important birthday. I am going to take the opportunity to say some things I love about my Dad, not only because he would not stand for me to say anything like this in person (in Timor I am safe from his wrath, haha), but also because most of my friends who read this haven’t met you, Dad, and I would like them to know a bit about you.

Dad, I love the way you really get into telling a story or anecdote, with great enthusiasm, emphasis, gestures and your way with words.

I totally admire your ‘green thumbs’ and I like seeing the new things you’ve done to the garden at the new place each time I come home. I would also like to apologise at this point because this is something I somehow completely failed to inherit from both you AND Mum!

And, I love that as a Baby Boomer you break the mould, and then some. Other baby boomers take up Sunday drives; you and Mum continue to ride the motorbike across Australia with the other Ulyssians, ‘growing old disgracefully’. People complain that baby boomers have irresponsibly used Australia's resources and land, but you (and Mum, I gotta give her credit too) were my first example for being responsible about environmental issues.

Probably this would have been more fitting for your ‘big birthday’ next year; however, I’m enjoying my kick of telling people what I like about them on their birthdays, so I see no reason to wait, and I can write you a different one next year anyway.

Happy birthday Dad!

Love Kate