I always thought maybe it would be my sweet 16, my 18th, my 21st (even though I don't drink, I just thought that one would be magical) or my 25th. While all of those were great....it was actually my 29th bday that I will never ever forget!
Last year was the last of my birthdays that I got to celebrate with my dad. That in and of itself makes it more special to me but it was something that my dad did that will forever be in my memory every year that I celebrate for the rest of my life.
Being from Texas and growing up on mexican food it only made sense that when my parents asked where I wanted to go for my birthday lunch, I picked Mi Ranchito :) My dad liked going to the old Mi Ranchito off of old 56 highway so I took the kids and we met my parents there for lunch.
My dad is a very giving person and always wanted to do whatever he could to show our armed forces that he appreciated their work (being ex navy and all.) Whenever he would go to a restaurant he always saw it as an opportunity to give back. He would look around and if he saw an elderly couple on a date or a service man for example, he would ask the waitress to bring him their ticket and he would anonymously pay for their meal and then instruct the waitress to tell them that God loves them and wanted to bless them today. Many times he wouldn't even stick around to see their reaction, he simply just wanted to be a blessing.
On this particular day we were celebrating my bday but once again my dad went in with his eyes open to someone in need and his ears open to hear God's voice. As we are sitting and enjoying the amazing food, an army soldier comes in and sits in the booth next to us by himself. My dad called the waitress over and said, "Can you bring me his ticket?" The waitress looked very confused, as I am sure that this is not a common request these days and said "sure." A few minutes later while continuing to enjoy our meal, another serviceman came in to join the one in the booth next to us. Mom and I looked at dad and he called the waitress over and said, "Go ahead and bring me his ticket too." The waitress again said sure and brought him the ticket after they placed their order. Pretty soon a couple more soldiers came in and sat at a different table. Mom and I kind of laughed and said, "Well are you going to get theirs too?" I looked at dad and said, "You better eat fast, what are you going to do if 10 more people come in" We kind of laughed and just kept eating.
Pretty soon 2 more people came in and joined the two next to us and 4 more came in and joined the others. When all was said and done their were 10 soldiers eating at 2 separate tables in the restaurant. Mom and I just laughed and looked at dad and said, "Well what are you going to do?" Dad called the waitress over and said "Mam, bring me their ticket and the ticket for that large table over there."
My cheap mexican food bday lunch ended up costing my dad over $100. We all laughed and said ok we better go before more people show up but dad was so happy to do it. He told the waitress to tell them that God wanted to bless them and thank you for your service. Then in true Roy Hinckley fashion, he got up and we left before he ever saw their reaction. He was so giving and caring, always looking for a way to bless someone and give back.
I never imagined celebrating my 30th bday without my dad and hero but I am so thankful for a 29th birthday that I will NEVER ever forget. It was one that will challenge me for the rest of my life!
Are you ears and eyes open to be a blessing to someone else? Are you a blessing to someone else just to get the immediate gratification of their reaction? Are you making every day a day that someone else will never forget?
