My dad turned 86 years young today, April 2, 2016. My dad was born Levi Homer Shank, and has mostly gone by “Homer”.
My dad is like a magnet with people. His energy, love, compassion, his beyond friendly ways with everyone he meets, is the magnet. He has a good sense of humor and carries that out into his life every day.
From the time I was a little girl, I remember the love my mom and dad had for each other. We would all giggle each day when he got home from working as a carpenter, and swoop my mom into his arms for a big kiss!
My dad didn’t want my mom to work outside of the home, so to make ends meet with 5 kids, for a portion of time in our lives, he’d come home after working all day, eat dinner and then leave again to work until late at night. And then turn around and do this for 5 days. I seem to remember he worked on some Saturday’s too, only never on Sundays. This was the day we went to church, had Sunday dinner/lunch and visited with extended family.
My dad was always a fantastic listener and still is today. I always feel like Dad really cares about me and what I have to say. I have always felt like I matter greatly to him.
My parents taught all of us great values by example. Family is such a large part of all of us. I moved to Indiana, 3 hours away, at the end of 1981 when I got married. I later moved further away to Minnesota in 1992. I’m the only child that moved out of the Toledo, Ohio area.
I just got back from my nephew’s wedding and Easter with my family. We had 50 family members around us that weekend, and we still have more that weren’t there! I cherish my time with all of them and especially love staying with my parents in the home and the bedroom I grew up in. I love my times in the morning over coffee with them and later at night when all the others have gone home.
We all feel the same way, Dad, that you and Mom are the center of our family, and we are all so very grateful you are doing well, staying busy and healthy.
We all are blessed to have each other. I love you Dad, more than I can express. I know you know how much I love you.
Thank you for being the most amazing example of what a loving, caring, Godly man is to me, all of my siblings, all of your grandchildren and great grandchildren, our mom and to everyone you meet!
Many blessings and so much love,
Connie
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