Happy Birthday Dad!

Today is my papa's birthday! I Love him! He has been my supporter, my cheerleader, my mentor, my fix-it person, my confidant, my friend, my teacher, my coach and the voice of reason in my head. He is my dad. If you know him, chances are you love him too. He has that affect on people...

Here is a few recent moments with my dad...

Celebrating Mom's Retirement and the Wedding!

With three of the four kids...and Shane!

Three generations of Coonrad boys!

Aunt Roma, Dad and Aunt Loretta. It appears there is a genetic link here!

Dad and I doing what we love to do...checking out cattle!

Three things that I learned from my dad that I hope every person learns:

1) Life is about problem solving...sometimes we have to figure things out on our own. I remember one year about two weeks before the Jr. Livestock Show in Spokane and I realized that my steer wasn't "finished." I told Dad. He said he knew...but he thought I was a little late figuring it out to do much about it. I didn't do too well that year, but I learned a lot. It was a similar thing the year dad told me to do my own taxes....

2) Life is about family. Dad and Mom would sacrifice anything for their kids. They did it growing up. They do it now. Family is important. I thank God that I know how important family is. It's because of Dad and Mom.

3) Life is Love. Sacrificial, non-judgemental, limitless love. I learned this from my papa.

If you see him, will you wish him a Happy Birthday? Have a piece of cake with him. Tell him he is wonderful. Tell him thanks for the lessons. Tell him his Wormie loves him.