Happy Birthday, Dad!

My parents somehow did everything right when they raised their kids.  I don't know how they did it, but I'm so thankful that they have always been so committed to their three "above-average children," as Garrison Keillor would say.  I don't know about me, but my two brothers are definitely above average.  And so are my parents.

My dad just had a birthday.  Let's not talk about how old he is, because the number seems too high for how fit and hardy Felshaw is.  He has the body and the mind of a 50-year-old!  We celebrated with an impromptu lunch at the new restaurant in Kaysville, Orlando's.  Scott is the one who always makes sure we're celebrating properly.  Thanks, Scott!  Tziporah and Rolayne were there for comic relief, and they delivered.  They're so fun to have around.

The camera only added 10 pounds to me.  It was nicer to my dad, and made him look 20 years younger.  No fair!

The night of Dad's birthday, there was sort of an open house soup and cake event at Coco and Bill's.  They're totally happy just to swing open their door and wait to see who comes.  I should learn a lesson from their style.  I'm more of a "Come over at 5:00 sharp" person, and then I'm peeved if you're two minutes late.  I'll have to work on that.

There are a lot of things I'll have to work on if I hope to ever be like my dad.  He's a student (and a master) of the gospel.  He is a paragon of professionalism at his work.  He's the first one to jump to a person's defense if they're being unfairly, or even fairly, maligned.  He doesn't hesitate when a kid needs a ride somewhere.  In fact, he left his own birthday celebration to take Ruby to ballet and pick up Freestone.  He is generous to a fault.  Recently, he gave me a fat envelope to give to someone close by, anonymously.  I hope he didn't write a note to go with it; his handwriting is a very distinctive, refined cursive.

Felshaw always told me about his handwriting that he had terrible penmanship in the 9th grade, so he worked on it until it was good.  All his life after that, his script has been beautiful.  That was just one example of Dad's determination to rise above, in every situation.  His personal code of conduct is impeccable.  He will never go against his personal morals.  You can count on that.  I admire my dad as much as I did back in 1980, when my dad had run another race, and I wrote in my diary, "My dad won the race! 64th place overall and 5th in his age group!"  Aren't we three kids lucky to have a dad that WINS every race?  We love you, Dad!

The Noble Profession

 When someone offers you a lifetime achievement award, you're a little wary.  Does this mean you're old?  That you have already contributed everything they want you to contribute?  Is it the ultimate platitude before they send you into retirement?  No!  At least my dad hopes not!  The Utah State Bar honored a small handful of men this week for their contributions to the legal profession here in Utah, and Felshaw was among them.  The whole family attended a beautiful luncheon where each recipient of the award was lauded for their contributions.  Josh and Emily had a tough time deciding which table to join, as Emily's father was also given the lifetime achievement award.  What a happy confluence of circumstances!

The Bar president-elect, Angelina Tsu, offered her congratulations to my dad, then turned to me and said, "And thank you, too, for all the sacrifices you have made for his career.  We know it's a sacrifice."  I know that families do sacrifice time for careers, and that it "takes a village" for the success of the individual, no matter who the individual is.  However, I have never once felt that I sacrificed for my dad's career.  Always for my dad, family was first, and then The Law.  And that is saying a lot, because my dad loves The Law.  He gets tears in his eyes when he talks about "The Noble Profession."  Because of his attitude, Dad's devotion to his work only served as proof of his devotion to his family.  He has given service to his profession through numerous committees, leadership positions, and terms in the Utah State Legislature.  One of the award recipients said, "We are not here to be happy, we are here to serve."  My dad doesn't question the mandate to serve, to contribute, to lead.  For him and for many attorneys, it is part and parcel of their profession.  Another recipient, Judge Uno, was incarcerated in a Japanese internment camp, went on to have a brilliant career as an attorney and a judge, and now, as a diminutive, unassuming man, helps his son at his five buck pizza place in Rose Park.  Remember that next time you encounter a pizza man.  He may well have a J.D., a masters in social work and a PhD in Humanities, like Judge Uno.

Needless to say, I came away inspired by the award recipients, especially my dad.  He is never recognized for his accomplishments.  He is always just there to admire and support his kids and grandkids.  He had a hard time even telling us about the award because it seemed uncouth to brag.  Thanks for spilling the beans, Dad.  We wouldn't have missed this day for the world!

 HERE is Dad's speech.  He looks a little nervous when Richard is talking about his achievements!

 Rod's speech

 Micaela was there too, just socializing at the time of the photo.  :)

 Rod Snow, Emily's dad, gave an excellent speech.  With his electronic voice box, he even used his robot voice for a little extra humor!  We're so lucky to be related to the Snows, and to have been able to admire both dads together at the lunch.

Grand America macaroon store, after the festivities.  I love these two!  Thanks for living with vigor, passion and dedication to your values.

Fathers

 Sandwiched in between Beast Week and Ballet Week (isn't every week ballet week around here?!), there was Fathers Day.  These dads always seem to take a back seat to everything that's happening, even as they toil to make it all possible.  Scott and his hula hoop routine were part of the Kaysville Arts in the Park day last Saturday, when the whole family (except Golda who was taking the dumb ACT) met to enjoy some fresh air, fun vendors and...deep fried OREOS!!  I repeat, DEEP FRIED OREOS.  But enough about clogged arteries.  My point is, Scott is a fantastic dad.  I probably could have predicted that before I married him, had I had the foresight to wonder about such things.  I didn't wonder, though; I blithely assumed such banal matters as kids and a living would work themselves out.  What mattered was that Scott was extremely sexy. :)  Fortunately for me, he also has other positive characteristics, such as being perfect.

And speaking of perfection, there's my dad.  The caption to this photo is, "There are two kinds of people in the world:  My dad, and everyone else.  I like the first kind better."  Felshaw is and always has been one of a kind.  It's always interesting to see what book my dad has open on his kitchen table.  This week, it was a track from the Jehovah's Witnesses, open and highlighted.  Dad said he had told a friend he would read it.  I hope he doesn't convert; we wouldn't be able to celebrate Fathers Day anymore, and I love having a day to reflect on my dad, my grandfathers, whom I sorely miss, my father-in-law, whom I love, and of course, his son. Thanks, guys.  I love you and I'm aware every day that my happiness wouldn't be possible without you.