From Dad

Hi Tom,

A big Happy Birthday for your first 30 years.

Wow!  Has time flown or what? 

Think of all the things you have accomplished and done so far.  I remember when you: were learning your lines in the car for a grade school play and it was less than a 10 minute drive; playing the “Little Prince” in community theater; being Mr. Magic and taking 3^rd place in the County Fair on your first time out; having a part in Scrooge and when exiting the stage you jump into the top of the door header cracking the wall board; taking one of the lead parts in a musical production in Wheaton without any prior singing lessons. And then there was  karate, gymnastics, band and more band, and the role playing that you and your friends did, the Christmas Madrigal dinner,  falling asleep on stage during your performance of 12 Angry Men. You had a horn solo during your high school graduation and it was great how the whole audience clapped and cheered when your name was called as you stepped on stage to accept your diploma.  I’m sure you remember wearing a “kilt” to Prom.  You had the opportunity to do some travelling while doing your investigation concerning the Prisoner Camps in Illinois during World War II. From your Eagle Scout service project, you were able to win a full scholarship to the local Community College.  Your Scouting trips have all been adventures.  Your first was your hiking trip and you were the youngest and smallest, but you kept on going, blisters and all. There was the boundary waters,  white water rafting (remember the drive and the sign you made for the other cars following us), water skiing, rock climbing and repelling, mountain biking, biking during a storm, plane rides, snow boarding, and sky diving.  Not to mention all the thrill rides at the various amusement parks that you attended.  The fun you had at the wave park where, as a young growing man, you would position yourself in front of the young teenage girls just right before the wave would hit. Kind of a contrast to your days at EFY where you finally decided it was time to cut your hair before coming home. There was the radio station where you interned and had the opportunity to DJ for a day or so.  Your involvement in the film club at the U of I where with your guidance your film project won the award.  (Speaking of college, how could someone miss their own graduation because they did not make sure to know the one day it was on.) Your travels around Australia during your Mission, your trip to England to visit Uncle Craig and Aunt Judy and your trip to Mexico to learn Spanish.   Can anyone forget Tom’s lighted bed and fog machine?

Always with a big smile and a laugh, you tackled everything.  Doing tricks, trying something crazy – like borrowing the truck to practice making donuts in the snow, and just attempting to experience life.   However, this is not all you were about; there is very private and spiritual self.   There is that special person who cares and loves others.

Bottom-line:  You have had a very rich and full life to date, with a wide range of experiences.   You have a loving wife that compliments and completes you.  Continue to enjoy life and make it a great “life” for yourself and your family to be.

Happy Birthday to the Polish Prince,

Love Dad