Stephenson Family Ties

...my life is like a tree, and I can
stay in one place and spread out in
all directions, and I can do more
learning shading this brood of mine
than if I was all alone.
from: These Is My Words
by: Susan E Turner

My good dad unceremoniously deposited a great gift on my dining room table the other day. I think he may have wanted it to go unnoticed until after he left...but my quick eye spotted it, picked it up, and then I almost toppled over in unbelief and shock when I realized just what it was that I held in my hands!!!
For YEARS and Years I have been pleading with my wonderful dad to take the time to write down his life history or story or just his good and fascinating memories, for my brother and I to enjoy for evermore and for his grandkids to appreciate forever after. For years it has felt like an ineffectual plea. Like words falling on deaf ears. I lost hope. I admit it...it did. And then...true to form...my fondest wish is sitting on my dining room table in its unassuming format.
I now have 31 pages of 'history' about the life and times of my dad!!
It is priceless!!
It is so very interesting....as I KNEW it would be.
There's intrigue and humor and insights too cerebral for me!!!
But I learned a few things.
I hunger for more...but will remain completely content with what I now have.

So it just goes to show that miracles do happen.
Never give up hope for lost causes!!
Wonderful surprises happen every day.
And I reaffirm again that the greatest of gifts dont cost a thing...for I realize that this was a 'hardship" for my dad to do...to appear to aggrandize himself in any way is just not his style...and though I KNOW he could fill volumes of books with his adventures and learning and travels...I will be completely gratified with what I have here and will treasure it always and pass it around proudly to my kids and their kids so that the marvel I know as dad can be appreciated more by all that know and love him!!
Thank you dad!!!
Thank you!!!