My dad is turning 70, and I have a request

[sheila]

My dad is turning 70 on Saturday, and I am trying to get as many birthday cards sent to him as I can.

I sent this email out to some of his friends:

Hello all,

If you don't know already, my dad (Don) will turn 70 on January 28-- this coming Saturday. He has made it very, very clear that he absolutely does not want a party, so we aren't doing one. Believe me, we tried convincing him. We badgered, cajoled, threatened to surprise-- all to no avail. Since he has a home in Florida in addition to the one in Connecticut, his threat to run to the other home were taken seriously. To make things more complicated for those who know and love him, he also made it clear that he doesn't want any big gift. Ah, such is Don...

So, I am sending you this email, and asking you to send him a birthday card for the big 7-0. It doesn't have to be fancy, it doesn't even have to be an actual birthday card. But I would love to have him going to the mailbox getting tons of mail on his big day. Ideally, I see the movie scenario where the postal carrier has to stop at the house with bags and bags, but I think I am being optimistic.

If there is someone you think I have left off this email list (which I have culled from emails he has send me), please forward it on. And if you think there is someone who doesn't know him but might still send a card, send it to them as well.

Thank you all so much!!

If you would be willing to send him a card, please PM me and I will send you the address. It doesn't matter that you don't know him-- I would just love to have him amazed by the sheer numbers of cards & well wishes sent his way.

[Kris]

Delete your PM's :lol:

I tried to PM you and couldn't

[sheila]

I cleaned my PM box. Sorry about that!

[Wendy]

Send me a PM Sheila!

[MrsPeacefrog]

Would it defeat the purpose if he got it after the fact because I am sure that even if I send it today the odds of it arriving by Saturday all the way from Australia might not happen.

Let me know if so I am happy to send one too!

[Alyssa]

Your dad sounds so much like my dad - I'll have to remember this for when he fights us. He'll be 60 in July and he's already made similar threats about us not doing anything. Well, except there is no house in FLA to run to. :lol:

[TtownAnne]

Me too!

(I love this idea, although my dad has already said he wants a HUGE party when he turns 60 and that we'd better get moving on planning so it can be as great as he wants.)

[sheila]

I think late would be fine. And he would get a big kick out the fact that cards were coming from so far away. :biggrin:

[MrsPeacefrog]

:lol: he will be wondering who the heck he knows from Australia :lol:

Make sure you tell us his reactions!!

[sheila]

IM exchange with my dad. I am really looking forward to this! :banana:

Sheila: We have to take a trip to the store to pick up a card...
Dad: :-)
Dad: don't let me hold you up
Sheila: wanting a card for your birthday?
Dad: yes
Sheila: I hope people don't forget

[MrsPeacefrog]

:lol: thats so funny Sheila, talk about setting him up! he is going to be so blown away! how many are your predicting?

[Bev]

Love the conversation! I sent mine today.

I put: Happy 70th Don! Have a great Day! Beverly, Mason and Graham. (Ask Sheila!) :) On the return address I put CANADA!

I hope he likes it! :)

[MrsPeacefrog]

Mine was sent today too.

I wrote:

Dearest Don,
I hope your day is filled with love, happiness and good memories
From your friends down under
Tony, Deb, Aiden, Riley & Jacob xxx


hehehe I want him to be stumped!! :awink:

[Clare]

Mine's in the mail :)

[sheila]

The cards have started coming (so far the count is at 2). Emails, too. My dad got a card from the guy who was his boss over 25 years ago. He was very confused and surprised. My mom told him why they had sent them and he said he has been breaking out in laughter at random times just thinking about it.

[Bev]

:ura1:

[Karri]

I sent mine yesterday, complete w/ an envelope decorated w/ stickers, courtesy of Norah :biggrin:

[TtownAnne]

We sent ours too -

"Dear Don - Sheila told us you're not too happy about your 'new number' but we think it's great, so wanted to send a card to say happy birthday!

Anne, James and Caroline M"

(and it's a card that Shel made for me for Christmas last year, so that even counts as an extra person by extension. :lol: )

[Nichole]

That's so sweet, Sheila! I have warm fuzzies by proxy. :lol:

[TtownAnne]

I'm so totally stealing this idea for my dad's birthday in two years! :nod:

[~Andrea~]

mine went out today :heee:

I just signed it "Happy Birthday from the (Lastname) Family in New Jersey :)"

[Lette]

I'm so totally stealing this idea for my dad's birthday in two years! :nod:

:lol: ....and I'm thinking of stealing it for my hubby's 40th bday next month! :biggrin:

[Lette]

Ps.. My card is going out in a few minutes.

[harmonielyn]

Oh what a wonderful idea! If its not too late I can get a card tomorrow and send it (I need the address though). :lol:

[sheila]

As of yesterday, his actual birthday, my dad has gotten 28 cards, 2 flower arrangements (a first) and a fruit basket. Oh, and another 20 or so cards from a friend of my mom's 4th grade class. They apparently asked all sorts of questions aboutt he 70 year old state of affairs: can he see? does he have teeth? can he still walk? :lol:

[Bev]

That's great! :) Love the 4th grade questions. :lol:

[MrsPeacefrog]

:lol: thats so funny about the 4th grade questions!!! just brilliant! good job Sheila!

[Shel]

(and it's a card that Shel made for me for Christmas last year, so that even counts as an extra person by extension. :lol: )

Oh good, because somehow I missed this!


If you want him to get some belated ones, I could send one now!

[MrsPeacefrog]

Have the cards from Clare and I arrived from Australia yet?

[sheila]

Not yet, and my dad just left for Florida yesterday, so I;ll have to find out from my mom.

He did get a dozen or so earlier this week, which he was excited about.

[MrsPeacefrog]

What a shame, hopefully he will be greeted by them when he gets home and that will put another smile on his face..... damn snail mail! :lol:

[sheila]

I talked to him last night and he said he got the 2 from Australia. He was really impressed and generally psyched that he got cards from so far away. Thanks!

[MrsPeacefrog]

Your more than welcome, so glad it arrived safely!! :hug99: