HAPPY BIRTHDAY DAD!

Even though it is Thursday right now for me, I realize that in England my Dad's birthday is HERE. I didn't think he would make this birthday. Today, the 28th of November, Dad is 69 years old. I can't bear to think of him in the state he is at such a young age. BUT, today we will celebrate. Today we won't think of the sadness, we will thank God as I do everyday for making this world a much better place because our husband, father, grandfather, brother, uncle, and friend was born 69 years ago.

Today in the US, we celebrated Thanksgiving Day. I wrote a list of all the things I was thankful for. The list was pretty long. Everything I am grateful for goes back to God. Without him, I would not have a wonderful family, Lance, Natalie, Kayleigh, John and Olivia. Without him, I would not have wonderful parents, brothers Michael and Jared or my one and only favorite sister, Rebecca. Without him, I would have nothing. How grateful I am to God for all that I have.

A little history: John was born to George and Hilda Sims on November 28th, 1939. He was the 6th child, brother to Joyce, Hilda, Barbara, Alan, and David. (Following John was Geoffrey, Sylvia, Norma and Janet. (Janet only lived a few short hours, and Dad has talked to me all my life about one day being re-united with her). Dad used to tell us how he was always grateful for the gifts he was given from his parents. He didn't get much but he knew his parents did their best for him. He told us how he remembered receiving coloring books and crayons as a young boy.

He loved rugby from a very young age and went on to live his dream of playing for Hull Kingston Rovers. He married the love of his life, Valerie Houghton in 1962. He had 4 children, Michael, Maxine, Rebecca and Jared. He joined "The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in 1968 and has been a devout 'Mormon' ever since. He has worked hard all his life doing his very best for his wife and family and has been a wonderful friend and true servant of God.

These are pictures from his 68th birthday which he celebrated with my family and I here in Utah.

Dad chose to go to 'Chuckarama' for his dinner. He liked the fact that, due to him not eating properly, he could choose what food he wanted and eat it at the pace he wanted. This restaurant is a buffet style and he liked the variety. Whilst he didn't eat much, he liked what he did eat. Truthfully, he really didn't want to go anywhere, but as it was his birthday, he wanted to make the effort. I AM SO GLAD HE DID.

We let the staff at the restaurant know it was his birthday and they came to sing to him. There were 'singers' surrounding the table and I was very emotional as they were singing. (I covered it very well however.) All I kept wondering was what must have been going through his mind.

Not only did they sing to him, they brought him birthday cake and ice-cream. He really enjoyed the cake and told me so afterward. So even though Dad won't be celebrating this way, or anyway today, we can still sing for him.

"Happy Birthday to you!

Happy Birthday to you!

Happy Birthday DEAR DAD

Happy Birthday to you!

One day Dad, there will be plenty of time to rejoice and celebrate. It will be a time we will embrace you and thank you once again for everything you have done for us. God gave us the greatest gift of all, his Son Jesus Christ who made it possible for us to live eternally as a family.

"We love you Dad"