happy birthday, Mark: the almost-daddy

Well it would be pretty neat if my newest granddaughter, due TODAY, would actually decide to arrive, because it's her dad's 24th birthday. Some say, "oh, they need their own birthdays." I say it would be so special to share your day with your dad!

Here's Mark at around four. Happy-looking, though he was such a busy, non-stop little guy that by dinnertime he was usually an exhausted mess. He put 100% of himself into each day. As he got older, Mark was the only kid I ever saw who would simply say, "goodnight, I'm going to bed" when he got tired.

He played and worked hard.
He ate a lot.
And liked his sleep.
And that was that.

A favorite memory of Mark was at around age six. A neighbor had brought in a load of flagstones to build a retaining wall. Mark spied the excitement right away and trotted over to help. At noon, Taylor sent Mark home for lunch. But 15 minutes later, having eaten his sandwich, Mark was knocking at Taylor's door. "Ready to get back to work, Taylor?" The guy's a horse, we like to say.

Well, you'll be a cherished horse to your little girl. She's gonna be crazy about you!

I love you, Mark. Have a happy birthday!