At the turn of this year, I did a “75 Things” list, highlighting 75 things about my Mom and her life that meant a lot to me. Today is the last day of my father’s 75th year, as he turns 76 tomorrow, so here is my list of 75 great things about my dad I wanted to share.

1. Kansas man.
2. Amazing husband.
3. Father of three kids.
4. Grandfather to five kids.
5. Ornery grade schooler.
6. Middle kid (like moi).
7. Eagle eyes.
8. Milk bottle mogul.
9. Road trip warrior.
10. Spree and SweetTart candy rolls.
11. Chile rellenos.
12. Shrimp
13. Bit-O-Honey’s
14. Sandia National Laboratories
15. Mechanical engineering.
16. “If you’ just listen!”
17. “I’m just kidding… I’m just kidding.”
18. Carpentry and handyman skills.
19. Tools.
20. Lobo basketball season tickets.
21. Airline playing card decks.
22. Bedside allegiance to the sick and hospitalized.
23. Satellites and the Space Race.
24. Japanese cars.
25. Consumer Reports magazines.
26. Bluest eyes in Kansas
27. Football letterman.
28. Oklahoma State University Cowboy.
29. The Burford Theater.
30. Photographer.
31. Immense loyalty.
32. Quiet compassion and caregiving.
33. Humble.
34. Hard working.
35. Character over compromise.
36. 60 Minutes.
37. James Garner and The Rockford Files.
38. John Wayne.
39. Steve McQueen.
40. Patsy Cline.
41. Mechanical engineer.
42. Church involvement.
43. Family focused.
44. Grampy.
45. “The Uniform”: the blue button-up with khaki slacks.
46. Drafting tools and triangles.
47. The Great Midlife Mellowing
48. Always honest.
49. Sacrificial.
50. Estes Park.
51. Always responsible.
52. Spades
53. Scouting trips.
54. No stranger is a stranger!
55. American Graffiti.
56. Pride in his children.
57. Movies, movies, movies.
58. Beautiful yards.
59. La Salita restaurant.
60. Furr’s restaurant.
61. Blue.
62. Collections!
63. Quiet generosity.
64. Arkansas City, Kansas.
65. Tennis!
66. Road tripping to Spring Training.
67. “If you start it, finish it.”
68. Faithful husband, father, friend.
69. Fleamarketing!
70. Family history.
71. The family rock.
72. A full-on New Mexican.
73. A proud American.
74. A devoted follower of Christ.
75. A remarkable, well-loved and treasured person.

Happy pre-75th, Dad!

I, like everyone else in our family, love you so much and am grateful for the love, strength, levity, and guidance that you bring into our lives each and every day! We’re so grateful you and Mom share your lives with us daily.