On My Father's Ninety-Fourth Birthday

Gracious, loving Lord God,
from everlasting to everlasting you are God;
from one year to the next, you are there.

You were there
ninety-four years ago
in Hutchinson, Kansas,
when a boy was born
to David and Bessie Hostetler,
and named Charles Vernon.

Today, he turns ninety-four.
Wow, Lord. Just wow.

Thank you for his long life,
and continued health,
and the three sons he raised
with his wife, my mother.
Thank you for the heritage of faith
he received
and passed on.

Thank you that though his memory fails,
his happiness doesn't.
Thank you that he still knows me (most of the time)
and his other sons (more or less).
Thank you that he still enjoys his life and his days.

On this day
and every day hence,
please bless him mightily
and grant him yet more health,
love,
coffee,
chocolate ice cream,
security,
happiness,
and peace,
in Jesus' name, amen.

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