Today, July 14th, is my Dad’s 88th birthday.  We certainly don’t take that for granted and know that we are blessed to still have him and my mom with us.  We want to keep them forever, but know that will not be the case, so we try to savor every moment we have with them.  I’ve been talking to several of my friends recently who have lost their parents or are caring for one who is left after losing a spouse.  I know that one day my sister, niece and I will be in the position of looking out after our parents even more.  They are still very self sufficient in so many ways and we are grateful for that.  God has blessed us with healthy parents.
I wrote a lengthy post about my dad on his 85th birthday, so if you missed that go back and read it.
So today I want to honor this man we called Daddy and Grandaddy on his birthday. Â He’s done so much for all of us and we love him dearly. Â Our family is very close and we do for each other.
I pulled out a few pics from my archives that I’ve shared before, but today it’s all about dad. Â Here he doing his favorite thing in the world…..planting his garden.
That sweet great grand baby, Parker, has captured his heart.
Our photoshoot in the Atlanta Journal and Constitution earlier this year. Â Dad was such a big part of my house renovation and I couldn’t have done it without him.
Dad in his garden in the NC mountains. Â It’s even bigger than his Georgia garden.
Picking greens in his Georgia garden. 
Mom and Dad on the swing at their NC house. They have so enjoyed this place too over the years.
Lauren, his only grandchild, still loves to sit on his lap like she did when she was very little. Â It hasn’t changed a bit.
Sitting in one of his favorite spots, the backyard swing. Â He takes lots of naps on this swing.
Dad holding baby Parker for the very first time.
A look back at my house renovation 3 years ago, wearing his tool belt.
Those hands, that have captured so many of your hearts too.
And his tomatoes which are his pride and joy every year, a bountiful crop from the garden.
I know how much you all love to see him and so today, I wish him the best birthday ever! Â Happy 88th Daddy! Â We love you!
Haven starts on Thursday and this year, my entire family is coming down to check it out in person, including mom and dad. Â Lauren will be here with Parker and she and my sister will bring our parents down for lunch on Friday. I can’t wait to show them all off and let them see what Haven is about!
I’m writing again with Ebay this summer, putting together style guides on many topics, so I’d love for you to take a look at these.  Hint, hint….they love it when you click over!  🙂  Just click the photo!Â
Happy birthday to your Dad and God bless him and your Mom.
Happy Birthday to your Daddy. What a wonderful tribute in honor of his 88th B~Day
May he be blessed with many more years of good health!
Happy Birthday to your Daddy and I hope there are many more. As others said you are truly blessed to have him still with you. I wished I lived near to him so I could ask him for some of those delicious looking tomatoes. God bless your Daddy and your entire family Rhoda, and continue to keep us updated with pics and info about them. I feel like a part of your family.
What a blessing he is. Happy birthday to this dear man!
Happy Birthday to your Daddy! Rhoda you are a blessed woman!
Happy Birthday to your sweet Dad!! You are blessed to still have him in your life.
My Mom will turn 90 in November. We are a blessed family to have her Christian influence all these years.
Happy Birthday to your Daddy! You are so fortunate to have your parents still with you. My family was very close as well and from the South!! I can certainly relate to you. God Bless You all.
Happy Happy Birthday to your daddy…wishing him a wonderful year!!
Happy birthday to your dad, Rhoda! It has been so much fun watching the two of you re-do your house. My sister-in-law’s father just celebrated his 88th as well. They are Asian and in the Asian culture, “88” is a very special number and year! Hope it is for your dad, too.
Happy Birthday to your Dad, please tell him how much your readers enjoy pictures and events of his life. He is such an amazing man for his age. You are lucky to have both your parents with you and spend time with them. Also, enjoy your fashion pictures with information about where to purchase. Thanks for sharing with us. From a middle Georgia fan of yours.
Happy birthday to your sweet dad Rhoda, God has blessed him with many happy, healthy years. Thank you for sharing this sweet post!
Happy Birthday to your amazing father. God bless him.
Happy birthday to your dad. What a wonderful, amazing man!
You are a lucky lady to still have both parents. Please wish your Dad a very Happy Birthday from me and tell him I am disappointed because something ate my cauliflower in the garden but everything else is doing well.
Tears here too as I read the beautiful tribute to your father! I love the picture of him holding baby Parker for the first time. The picture of his hands (with the saw) is a treasure.
Thanks for sharing your wonderful family with me.
Happy Birthday To Your Sweet Daddy!!
Loved seeing your dad reminds me of mine whom I lost in 2005. How blessed you are to have both of your parents they look wonderful thanks for sharing .
Praying you had a blessed birthday packed down and running over with God’s choicest blessings!
A wonderful and blessed birthday to you, Mr. Vickers!
I’m so glad you have shared your daddy with us over the years. Is there anything more handsome than a manly man? Oh, and look how he loves his girls…I love seeing his strength and kindness in your pictures. So rare in our times! Happy Birthday and many more! Thank you so much again for sharing your Daddy with us all!
please excuse but I have to slip in and ask Tina Stone (comment above) if she is the Tina Stone[blogger’] in south Georgia that I have lost touch with the past two years..if so have missed our connections and often wonder about her life now.
Happy belated birthday to your wonderful dad! May you enjoy and celebrate many more.