Today is my eldest son’s birthday. Paul was born in “Almost heaven, West Virginia” (“Blue Ridge mountains, Shenandoah river. Life is old there, older than the trees, Younger than the mountains, growin’ like a breeze”). I was a junior in college at the time. We lived in a 35-foot trailer on the college campus. Paul’s first bedroom was a wardrobe closet where the “porta-crib” just barely fit. He didn’t seem to mind and somehow we managed to live together quite happily. Paul’s sons, Austin and Nick, have enjoyed teasing their dad about being born in a “trailer park” in West Virginia. Today, Austin and his wife, Katie, actually live in West Virginia—but not in a trailer park!
“Swiftly flow the days…Wasn’t it only yesterday when he was small? Swiftly fly the years.” What joy we knew when unto us a son was born, a gift given, and the gift named, Paul, on February 26, 1966! That same joy marks this day, February 26, 2023. Happy Birthday, Paul!
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| Paul, Rachel, "Dad at 80" and Luke |
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| Paul in that "little" trailer |
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| Paul and his "Mom" |
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| Paul and Helen |
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| Paul with his sons: Austin and Nick |
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| Unto us a son is born...we named the gift, Paul. |
