Papaw's 80th Birthday

The advantage of being eighty years old is that one has many people to love.
- Jean Renoir

Rick & Lesia once again hosted a fabulous Hicks' Family get-together where we celebrated several special occasions, but the most notable was our sweet Papaw's 80th Birthday.  Their new cabin/home has been the best new addition to our family - Such a wonderful & beautiful, and relaxing place to gather.  And it was a perfect evening for some summer "front porch sittin."  

Thank you both for sharing it with all of us!

Like all the Hicks' get-togethers, we had an enormous food spread of burgers, Rick's hot wings, chips & dips, yummy sides, & delicious desserts . . . 

and ate until our bellies ached

There was also a friendly bow competition amongst the boys   :)

A few even made their way into the pool - brrrr

It goes without saying that we had a wonderful time - as always.  I have the best family in the world and realize how incredibly blessed we are to love & enjoy each other like we do.  

Happy 80th Birthday Papaw,

I hope you can feel the enormous amount of love that all of us feel for you.  You are a remarkable man who has helped shape this family with love and guidance.  I believe I can speak for the entire family when I say, we respect you and appreciate everything you’ve done for us, for longer than we can even remember.  You are an amazing man, one that I admire and appreciate and love. You have shown all of us how to have fun, how to enjoy life, what family means, and joy looks like. You and Granny have been the foundation for our amazing family, not by chance, but by much dedication and love.  I cannot express how profoundly grateful I am for all that you have done.

I have so many memories of the kindness, and love and fun that you have brought to my life over the years.  Many of the best are the simplest.  Waking up to a deliciously hot breakfast or watching you create perfection year after year with your Thanksgiving Ham, or the dash out the door the minute you overhear someone make a request for even the tiniest thing . . .  Don't ever think that "the little things" go unnoticed.  But the thing we will all hold dearest to out hearts: the sweetness of your spirit; your laughter & joy. Simple, perfect, ever lasting.

Thank you Papaw for all of the many, many wonderful memories, for your love, for our family and for the important role you have played in it.  I love you from the bottom of my heart.  You are a great man and I am so fortunate to be your granddaughter.  I pray we have many more years of making memories & celebrating of life & love with you. 

Even to your old age and gray hairs 

I am He, 

I am He who will sustain you.

I have made you and I will carry you; 

 I will sustain you and I will rescue you.

Isaiah 46:4