Though I know it’s likely not to interest you at all, I wanted to post this video on my blog as a kind of memoir to keep. If you are interested, a little background will help it make more sense.
We threw the biggest humdinger of a surprise 60th birthday party for my Dad last weekend! With months of planning, we managed to contact and invite people from my Dad’s life that he hasn’t seen in over 30 years! Keeping it a secret was a miracle. The surprise element was priceless. He had suspected we were planning something for him on his actual birthday (Friday), but when we got a little snow, we canceled our plans to go out (you know a half inch of snow and the South shuts down). So he thought his surprises were canceled and on Saturday we convinced him he was going out to eat with my brother and his wife and that we had a wedding at our house (we run a wedding business at our residence). He was helping my brother bring in his children to “stay with us while they went out”.
He was so shocked that the “SURPRISE” we all yelled when he walked in the door didn’t even register. It took him many seconds after that before it hit him, as he just stood in the doorway staring blankly at a hundred people gathered to celebrate.
We (his children) wanted to really honor him and the sacrifices he has made throughout his life. The video is divided into phases of his life. He took a job when he was 24 years old as a camp director at a Christian youth camp and we spent 12 years growing up there; some of the long-lost friends from that phase got to come to the party.
The “Alpha Ranch” phase came after that and my parents continue to operate it here near us. They have been mom and dad to over 35 children–many pictured here–mostly long-term, and two of them became my sisters.
The legacy phase is his children and grandchildren, and then the dramatic ending was my clever brother’s idea–I loved it!
We invited people to speak a word of gratefulness to my Dad and there were lots of tears, laughter and a really great time!
It truly is an honor to have grown up with parents who were, and are, so selfless and so willing to give up their lives in service to others.
22 comments
Wow!! That was amazing. I cried! Beautiful. What were the two songs that were at the last half?
Just wonderful. You Daddy must be so proud.
What a wonderful tribute to your dad and the legacy that he’s taking great care to leave for your family! I enjoyed seeing pictures of your family! Especially the big family picture at the end! Very special!
Oh I loved it! What an awesome tribute. Good job!
Oh neat! I worked at Camp C.V. for 2 years, so it was neat to see those old pictures.
Ah, I loved it, Kelly! Your father is a blessed man!
Kelly, This is such an awesome way to bless your Dad! Great job! (PS I am going to Camp C V tonight for an Athletic Banquet.)
That was beautiful Kelly! A blessing to him for sure and what a legacy he is leaving.
Blessings,
Sommer
Jen C.
The two songs at the very end were : 1. From Braveheart…not sure of the name though! And the drum roll is Farenheit…pretty cool, I thought.
Susan,
How cool! It is still like home to go back there, even after all those years.
That was so beautiful!! I cried…what a gift you are to your father.
Wow…I was tearing up, so beautiful. a well loved life for the Lord, at any point, is a life redeemed.
Can I get permission to copy the “We all write a book…And those reading are better for it” and paste on my FaceBook? I loved it!
Kelly L.,
Thank you…yes, you may copy it. That was part of what I wrote on the back cover of a book that we put together for him. By the way, I was MOST impressed with the company we used–BLURB.COM if you ever need to do one. Great quality, great price.
My kids are currently ‘camp kids’. They love growing up at a camp. We have always served special needs kids (first learning disabled and now physically). I’m hoping we make a change, but not sure. Anyway, I think you’re the first person I’ve met outside of my camp circle who grew up at a camp.
Your dad is such an amazing gift.
GFG,
Wow…I bet your children are learning some amazing life lessons!
Yep, there’s something about growing up as “camp kids” that only those who have done it can fully understand. Nice to meet you 😉
That was so sweet, I truly enjoyed it:)
Just beautiful – sadly my own father passed away a couple of years ago… so much of this video reminds me of him and the amazing legacy he has created with his life.
Those of us with such fathers are so so blessed.
Thank you for sharing this with us.
You are truly BLESSED!
What a beautiful video! your family is such a blessing! thank you for sharing this with us in blogland.:) ((hugs))jen in al
Kelly,
This was a precious video. Thanks for sharing it with all of us. My husband and I and our children also run a christian camp. This is our 2nd full year and we are loving every minute of it. We felt like it was a perfect way to minister as a family. We hope that we can build some wonderful memories for our children. Thanks again for sharing.
Jennie
How lovely! No wonder you turned out so well 🙂
Awesome video!! What a special way to honor your father! Thanks so much for sharing it with us!
Great Information, thanks for the useful Post. I will come back soon . Also great information about dating : Singles