This is my Dad. Kirby Lee Giles. Many of you have probably never met him. (What a shame.)This may even be the first picture you have seen of him. (Aren't his glasses SWEET?)
Dad was born April 26, 1949, which would make him the big 60 today!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY! Wish we could throw a huge embarrassing party for you.
Dad passed away 9 1/2 years ago after a six-month battle with cancer. Boy, do I miss him.
Let me tell you a few things about him:
He loved music.
He taught piano lessons for 25+ years.
He played the piano beautifully.
He made a mean Christmas morning breakfast.
He always had a Little Debbie's stash hidden somewhere (we always found it).
He could have been mistaken for a member of the FBI or bodyguard when he was outside because his glasses turned into sunglasses.
He loved learning.
He taught 6th grade.
He didn't get his wisdom teeth removed until he was 40-something.
He served his mission in Japan and was passionate about the people and culture.
He wrote great letters.
He would be the GREATEST grandpa in the world.
He had an amazing testimony of Jesus Christ.
He was such an example of good.
He led in his own quiet way.
He loved leftovers--sometimes to the point of:
"Dad. That looks disgusting. We ate that like 2 weeks ago."
"Oh hush. It's fine. " hehe
He drove slow.
He loved my mom dearly.
He worked hard and never gave up.
He had a flat bum and his pants had a hard time staying up. Especially in the summer when he worked outside in the yard a lot.
He told corny jokes.
He was frugal.
He had really white legs.
He was thoughtful.
He expected us kids to always do our best.
He snored.
He loved traveling new places.
He loved the arts. He was always taking our families to plays, etc.
He was the best dad I could've asked for.
He would've LOVED playing with all the grand kids. I know before he passed away, when asked if he had any regrets, he only replied, "That I won't live to be a Grandpa." He has soon-to-be 13 grandchildren, and it will be up to 14 this summer. I'm glad that Dad & Sarah can keep each other company until the rest of us can join the party.
The other night I dreamed that Dad was alive again (I dream that on a regular basis) and that we got to catch up on life. I couldn't wait to have him meet Ruby and have him see how she's grown and have them play together. But then he had to go again. It was horrible.
It kills me that he doesn't get to play with Ruby and see all the cute things she does.
I hope I can always keep his memory alive. I have the responsibility to teach my kids about Grandpa Giles. If Dad were still here, ah the things we would talk about. His growing up on a farm. His parents. Parenting. Life. Everything that I wasn't super interested in as a 17 year old.
I can't wait to catch up on life. And to give him the biggest hug in the world.
Happy Birthday Dad. Hope it was great. We miss you.
