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Today is Poppy’s birthday. He is a very young 55. He thinks that is old, and it is a lot older than I am, but it really isn’t old these days. Anyway, he’s acted old since we first got married so his age is just catching up with his brain. Poppy has always been the responsible one in our partnership. He has held the reins and guided us to the right places and gotten us where we are. I appreciate his guidance. My Mother loved Poppy when she was alive. I truly believe that if we had divorced when she was alive, she would have sued for custody of Poppy. He was her only son-in-law and she thought he was the best. She was the one who pushed me into going out with him on our first date. Well, her and his constant asking.
I have six brothers and they all love Poppy, too. My two youngest brothers always think of him as a father figure and as a close friend. They spent a lot of time with us when they were in their late teens and still look up to Poppy. The other brothers just consider him a brother. When my Mom got sick, she wanted Dan around as much as possible. She knew he would take care of what needed to be taken care of, especially me
The first birthday he had after we got married, my Mother went to the store and bought him a special birthday cake from the bakery. She never did that for us, but since it was Poppy’s birthday, she really splurged. Well, on the way home the cake fell off the back seat so she went back and bought him another one. It was so out of character for Mom to purchase a bakery cake; much less two in the same day that I knew he had won her over for good. She was right, he is one of the truly “good guys”. I made the best decision of my life when I married him.
We will have all the grandkids over for supper as well as all three kids. Motherhubbard’s husband may get time to come by for supper, too. I’m going to make pork chops, some ribs because I don’t think there is enough pork chops for everyone, mashed potatoes and gravy, a salad, hot bread, and cake and ice cream. Birthdays are a big deal here. Our grandkids don’t feel like it’s a birthday if there’s not a party. So we’ll have a little party and make Poppy’s day as happy as we can. It won’t be as big as his 50th, but it’ll be loud and fun and that’s what matters. Poppy is the heart of our home and our lives. He is the glue that holds us all together. I am a lucky woman and have been since 1974. It’ll be a good day for all of us because he is our Poppy. Happy Birthday!