Happy Birthday, Aaron!

Re-posting this, ten years later. Hard to believe he's 45. 

Son number 4, and the biggest baby of the bunch at almost 9 pounds.

Aaron loved to do things for others, and still does--we had just moved to our farm when he brought me these flowers. The smile on his face was almost worth more to me than the gift.

Aaron was almost lost in the drifts of the big snows of 1977 and 1978. Those winters were hard times because the house wasn't really finished, we didn't have a good wood stove, and money was scarce. But those deep snows meant no one went to school for almost a month, and there was plenty of time to play outside.

Always outside, always barefoot, and always a soft spot for animals. I think this cat was called Pattypaws.

Aaron was the star of the Christmas play when he was 8; he had the part of Mr. Scrooge. And boy did he ham it up!



When Tommy was born, Aaron was 13 and suddenly no longer the baby of the family. But he jumped right in, learning to help us take care of the new baby. Tommy had an interesting childhood with so many older brothers. I can remember him being the "girl magnet" they took to town to cruise for chicks. What girl could resist a young man toting around a blond, curly-headed little brother?

Aaron was an uncle when he was 16, when Jordan was born. That's Aaron on the left--who is that nut third from the left?

At 18 and in the Air Force. We missed him a lot during the four years he was stationed on the west coast.

College after the Air Force, then marriage and a little boy who wants nothing more than to be just like his Dad.

And a little girl who is the apple of her daddy's eyes.
It's been quite a journey so far, Aaron. May all your coming years be as good as the ones just passed. You still look pretty good for an old man of 35!