This week my father turns 80. To memorialize the occasion all of his offspring will gather together for a two night celebration.

As the day gets closer, our panic escalates as we try to figure out how to best commemorate this milestone. In our desperate search-- ideas are quickly rejected. How can any gift, toast or party begin to express our love, respect and gratitude?

He personifies the best of “old fashioned values.” With a quiet yet sardonic nature, his actions always speak louder than his words. By way of example, he has taught us:

• There are no limits when reaching for your dreams.
• When you have an employer—your value must exceed your paycheck.
• There is no room for entitlement. You are never too important to clean the bathroom, take out the trash, or make the coffee.
• Go out of your way to make your fellow man’s lot easier.
• You must be able to add, subtract, divide, and multiply---in your head.
• Look at life’s challenges as ripe material for laughter; people are funny.
• Take what life gives you and make the best of it.
• Do not honor titles or positions. Honor character, goodness, hard work, and wisdom.
• Your word is sacred.
• Take pride in your possessions.
• Under all circumstances, you must be loyal to your spouse.
• There is no room for excuses or bull s---.
• You follow the above advice because it is the right thing to do---not to let others know you are right.

Finally, we conclude that there is not a single act or gesture that can adequately express our appreciation. So, we will hope that our presence will be present enough. As we anxiously await the day, we are filled with deep gratitude that this man is our patriarch. We are filled with deep joy that we are all able to celebrate together as family. We are also filled with that secret fear that no one dare articulate, “Please let there be many, many more birthdays.”