Are We Walking to Alaska

Are We Walking to Alaska
Are We Walking to Alaska - A True Story

Friday, September 6, 2013

Random 5 Friday

Today is Don's birthday - so thought I'd share 5 random things about him.  We met 50 years ago next month- isn't that amazing?  He was 19 and I was 17.  He had just moved to Alaska from Wisconsin to work at the new pulp mill to earn money to go back to college.  The wages were a lot higher in Alaska - almost 4 times as much as in Wisconsin.



He's a strong man, a good man, honest and true.

Just over three years ago he had open heart surgery to repair the Mitral Valve, damaged from birth ( 7 1/2 hour surgery).  One year later, to the day, he was in a 5K walk/run, along with our grandson Jahn-Zyel and several co-workers (they all wore blue shirts).   (Don, blue hat, Jahn, little guy  next to him).  He finished the race and then the next year he did it again and came in third - only beat out by two 30 year old women.


He loves his family - our son Rusty (Donald Jr.) and grandson Donnie (Donald III)- three generations of Donnies

And his family loves him!

Awww Dadoo I love you!!

He loves to ride the merry-go-round with his grandsons - here he is with  Ben

And Jahn-Zyel - at the NW WA Fair a couple years ago.
He is my life!




20 comments:

Mary said...

Well he definitely looks to be wonderful man - no wonder you kept him in Alaska..............Wisconsin's big loss!!!!

So glad he made such a great recovery and has gone on to do so much with those handsome boys.

JoAnn, please wish Don the happiest birthday ever, and here's to the many more ahead. Aren't we lucky to have the world's two best!!!!!

Hugs - eat cake for me today.
Mary XX

Lynn said...

all your photos are wonderful but I do love the first one of the three Don's- and a big Happy Birthday wish from France to Don..such a sweet love story.

J said...

Lovely tribute to a dear, good man. I can tell that just by looking at his picture! The ones with the adoring looks of his grandson are priceless!

Karen @ Beatrice Euphemie said...

What a wonderful tribute to a special guy! Love those sweet pics! Such a beautiful family. Happy Birthday to your good man. xo

Kay said...

Happy birthday, Don, and many more! He has a warm, sweet face - no wonder you've been together so long. I love reading the story of your life together and seeing it in pictures. That surgery sounds scary; thankfully, it was a bump in the road that's now in the rear view mirror.

sweetbriardreams said...

Happy Birthday Don, a fellow Virgo! It sounds as though the surgery has given him a whole new lease of life. Well done! xx

Jeanne said...

Happy Birthday to Don!! You are a lucky lady!

Ruth Kelly said...

Love the photo where his grandson is touching him and he closed his eyes to enjoy the moment.

Julie Fukuda said...

I see a lot more to celebrate than just a birthday.

joanne said...

Happy Birthday to Don. How wonderful to have such a loving, caring, compassionate man to celebrate. You are both the 'lucky' ones!

joy said...

Sorry I missed this yesterday, hope Don had a lovely birthday, you have some lovely family photos. How wonderful to have known each other for 50 years, Rog and I are only just past halfway to that total. xxx

Tanya Breese said...

oh what a sweet post and happy birthday to don!

Debra at HOMESPUN: http://www.thehomespun.com said...

LOVED this post! :)

The Weaver of Grass said...

A lovely tribute to a lovely man JoAnn.

eileeninmd said...

Happy birthday to your Donnie! I love the photos of the three generations of Donnies. Great shots! Have a happy weekend!

Grandma Barb's This and That said...

Happy Birthday to your special man! I love the photos of the 3 Donnies!

Mary said...

This is wonderful, JoAnn! One of the best posts ever. I mean it. :). A beautiful tribute to a great, loving husband.

Fundy Blue said...

Your family's love for each other shines through! Enjoy every moment you get to spend with your Donnie!

Nancy said...

Such a sweet post and a sweet hubby!

Badger Boo said...

Happy Belated Birthday MR Don I hope you had a pawsome day, and what fantastic pictures.

Thank you for joining in with Smile it's Friday.

Have a pawsome weekend xxxx