Eighty-Five years ago today, a little red headed boy was born to his parents on the coast of Florida, down in Wakulla County.
How can it be that long?
Since you all seem to have fallen in love with him, I thought you might like to know a little more about the man I call Dad.
The years are flying by and I can’t let today go by without talking about the man who has had the most impact on my life than just about anyone else (except my mama!). I have the most wonderful parents in the world. Not perfect parents, but they certainly are close to it. We had an idyllic childhood growing up. We were not wealthy by any means, in fact bordered on downright poor in my younger years, but we didn’t know that, my sister and I. We were blissfully unaware of our social status.
We were rich with love from our parents and those were the memories that mean the most to me. Not what we had or didn’t have. I always thought I had just enough of everything.
Dad was born down in Wakulla County, FL and grew up on the coastal waters, fishing and oystering as a young boy, with his large family. With 10 children in the family, they were poor and lived off the land. His dad got sick when my dad was around 12 and they moved to Panama City, FL where his older sisters had settled after marriage and that’s where he spent the rest of his young life growing up. Back in 2008, our whole family took a trip down to my dad’s birth place to see it all, since we girls had never been down there. That link above will take you to one of the posts I did from that trip, a very memorable one for all of us. We are so glad we took the time to do the trip and see where my dad was born and raised, a place etched in his memory and shared with all of us over the years.
I got my crazy unruly, thick hair from his side of the family.
He met my pretty mama, also a native of Florida in the Plant City area. They both attended Bible college in Lakeland, FL, (my sister and I also attended) where they fell in love and got married in 1953. Mom got her MRS degree and has put that thing to good use. 🙂
This pic was in my mom’s home church in Durant, FL, 1953 when they got married. Weren’t they a handsome couple? Dad is a tall drink of water at 6’5”, red headed and full of life. He can tell a good story and entertain crowds. When we were young, I loved sitting around the table with the grownups, listening to them tell funny stories. As a pastor for 40 years, the people (most of them, anyway) loved him and still do. He’s thoughtful and kind-hearted, opinionated and stubborn, all wrapped up into one loveable person. We have butted heads more than once over this house renovation and I don’t imagine it will stop anytime soon.
Our family around 1960 or 61. This pic was taken at a photography studio in Plant City, FL. I was supposed to be a boy. I was such a tomboy and this pic makes everyone laugh, since I sort of look like a boy. My hair was pulled back in a ponytail. I was full of life and climbed on everything, including tall trees. My life was spent outside having fun as a youngster, barefoot and loving life. Mom was in her mid 30’s here. My, haven’t we all changed our ways of grooming over the years. That bun makes her look at least a decade older and check out the flower pin that she made herself. She was a crafter back in the day! You can be sure that she made those dresses we are wearing too. She was and is a homemaker extraordinaire.
My 2 years older sister, Renee, was born a brunette and I was always the blonde. Now we both are.
I love these people who raised me!
My dad’s family was a scrappy clan, fussing and fighting and not the classiest bunch around. He determined when he got married that he wasn’t going to continue that in his own family and we certainly did not. There was not fussing and fighting in our house and I never got used to anyone yelling and screaming to get their point across. He was one of 2 preachers that came out of his large family and I think that was a shock to most of them.
Here you can see my dad surrounded by his girls. These pics were taken around 1987 at Easter, when Lauren was about 5. You can see she is the apple of his eye and still is. She still sits in his lap and he adores her. She quickly wrapped him around her little finger and almost 30 years later, that’s still the case.
Big hair ruled and in those days, my unruly hair was quite in style. Renee had to get a perm to get hers big. Mine was all natural curl.
Here’s that little girl, all grown up now. The almost 30 year old is never too big to sit in her granddaddy’s lap.
Here he is surrounded by all the people he loves last Thanksgiving. And we love him dearly. He’s our daddy and grandaddy and there is not another one who does a better job loving his family than he does.
We are having a cookout today, celebrating 85 years of a good life lived by this man we call Daddy. Lauren is home with her hubby and we’ve invited some of their long-time church friends over to help us honor him and celebrate this big day.
He’s been known to call folks who are close to his age “old people”, as if he has not yet reached that far-off milestone. And we laugh as we always do at his funny remarks.
Here’s to many more years of laughter.
Happy Birthday, Daddy! We love you!
Adding my well wishes in honor of your dad’s birthday. I love your story & photos…..How does your daddy feel about all his fans?
Rhoda:
What a beautiful tribute to your Daddy. He is a wonderful man. I am so blessed to be able to know both of your parents. Your family has always made me feel special when I was around. You are blessed!
What a great family! It’s funny how we never get too old to need our parents. What a blessing that they were there to support and love you when things started falling apart. I admire your spunk and resolve to make the best of what life has to offer. Your faith is obvious in your words and actions. I join your other bloggers in wishing your dad a very happy birthday!
I am seriously crying. You’re family is such a blessing. Such a beautiful birthday tribute to your dear father! Happy, Happy Birthday to your Daddy!
Loved reading about your precious daddy and your family. I was raised in Franklin/Wakulla County, FL then move to Tallahassee. My mother & her side of the family are from Lake Wales, right next to Plant City & Lakeland. My son lives in Crawfordville, Wakulla County, where he is a Trooper with the Florida Highway Patrol. Small world!!! A blessed and happy birthday to your dad!
Rhoda, what a wonderful tribute to your sweet Dad! What a blessing to be part of such a loving family ~ hope it’s a happy happy birthday for him and a joyous celebration for you all!
xo Heidi
What a lovely, heartfelt post Rhoda! You are all so very lucky to have one another. You have had many blessings in your life, not the least of which are your parents. It’s wonderful to see that you know that, and that you don’t take it for granted in the least.
Take good care of your Dad on his special day, and wish him all the best from his fans !
P.S. i so related to your big hair! Gotta love the 80’s. 😉
What a beautiful tribute! Happy Birthday to your Dad! Many more happy and healthy returns of the day. Thank you for sharing him and your family with us!
Wishing your Dad much happiness on his special day!
Rhoda, what a blessing! Yes, you’re right we have all fallen in love with your parents! Happy Birthday to your Dad, an amazing man! Enjoy your celebration! Give him a big birthday hug from me! I loved your story; how special! Love that big hair, girl!
What a sweet tribute to your daddy. Getting email updates always make me a day late, but tell him Happy Birthday anyway. I know y’all had a great celebration. Oh, and I do love the big hair- I had to get perms to get mine like that- you lucky girl, you. 🙂
Happy Birthday Mr. Vickers!
(Rhoda, I do believe you have been richly blessed in the Mama & Daddy Department!)
Happy Birthday to your sweet Dad. Tell him he is a real star out here in blogland. My dad is 96 and still talks about “those old people.” I guess that’s the secret….how you see yourself.
God bless him.
~betty
I’ve said it before and i’ll say it again, your daddy is the bomb!!!
Tell him i said:
Happy Birthday Sir!!
Almighty God, I lift up Sir and his family to you today, please keep them happy and healthy, may you always comfort them in times of need and may the always be able to comfort themselves in you.
Amen
Hugs from me and Thank you for sharing that story!!
Hi Rhoda,
Thank you for sharing more about your Dad. Happy birthday to him, he is amazing. He reminds me of my dad. A very hard worker. We too did not have much money when I was little, but did not ever feel like we were missing out on anything. My mom used to look for antiques to refinish, that was all they could afford at the time. When I was younger used to think it would be nice to have new furniture and not all the “old” furniture. Luckily I came to my senses years later and love all her antiques. She bought hers before they became popular. Now I wish she would have bought more. Funny seeing the big hair and shoulder pads. I went through that faze as well. Have a great day.
What a tribute to your dad! Happy Birthday Dad!!!!
Thanks for sharing such a wonderful story about your parents. Look forward everyday to your post. Enjoy your blessings today.
Thanks for telling us more about your dad. He’s a blessing from God. Enjoy every minute you get with him and your mom today and every day! Please wish him “Happy Birthday” for me.
What a beautiful blog! Happy Birthday to your daddy!!!!
Rhoda, I always enjoy reading your posts, especially those that include your parents! They sound simply wonderful, and I’m glad you still have them around.
Wishing your daddy a very happy Birthday!
Happy Birthday, Rhoda’s Daddy! We love your baby girl and we thank you for raising her to be such a wonderful friend and role model 🙂