My Earth Day Dad

It's Earth Day, so I'm celebrating nature.

It's also my Dad's birthday and I hope I look this good at 88.

It's perfect that Dad was born on Earth Day since he made his living off the land, as a farmer on the family dairy farm in Wisconsin. 

A few years after his HS graduation in 1955, Dad married our mom. 

In 1972, he was named Wisconsin's Outstanding Young Farmer of the year for his leadership and vision in the field of Agriculture. Not only was he a loving husband and the father of five of his own children, 

he also helped rear seven foster children along the way while serving on committees with the Farm Bureau, the Jaycees, the church building committee. He even served as the chairman of the state board for the Easter Seals.

Every time that someone wanted to learn to farm the American way, the WI Department of Agriculture would call him and he'd invite them to come live with us and learn first hand, by working alongside us, milking cows, feeding calves, picking stones, planting and harvesting the crops. 

This is pretty much how our place looked when I was growing up there.

It was a lot of work and change as we grew from a herd of 50 to 250, 

then 450 and, after the fire took the timber barn in 2003, now 2250.

Dad and mom went their separate ways in 1984;

thankfully, they each had a chance to start over.

Dad spent the last 40 years with his second wife, Flo.

They were soulmates who served together as Lay Ministers.

Theirs was a blessed and beautiful love story.

Believe it or not, Dad still helps out around the farm.

If something needs fixing, they bring it to him.

If they need something in town, he'll make the drive.

Whatever the SOS, Dad comes to the rescue.

He recently remodeled this church bench, then

donated it to the auction at our parochial school. 

My brother Paul bid on it, so we can keep it in the family after he's gone.

I cannot even imagine the day when he's gone.

So for now I cherish our daily phone calls, and

I continue to put a card for him in the mail every day.

A few of you have written to him as well;

thank you Mary Ann, Claire, Tanya, Chrissy.

With every reminder that he's loved,

that he's appreciated, 

that he's got a purpose

it feels like a birthday 

to my Earth Day dad.

How will you celebrate Earth Day 2025?

How about trying forest bathing,

looking for Monarchs as they migrate,

enjoying a relaxing blue space,

watching and listening to the birds,

picking up some unwanted litter,

searching for wildflowers or wild berries,

recycling your cardboard and plastic,

repurposing things you no longer need,

reading What Does It Mean To Be Green?

conserving water when brushing your teeth.

Do it for yourself.

Do it for the earth.

Do it for Dad.