75 reasons

1. He still wears those big glasses

2. He loves his baseball hats

3. He's younger than he is

4. Works hard

5. Always worked hard

6. Will always work hard

7. Has a good sense of order 

8. Listens well

9. Talks softly, never carries a big stick 

10. Meticulous 

11. Held my mom's hand

12. Provided even when stressed

13. Sacrificed even when stressed

14. Made a change 

15. Stuck with the change

16. Is gracious and giving

17. Can kick any crossword puzzle's ass

18. Listens to music

19. Good music

20. Appreciates the most important meal of the day

21. Can grill up some good stuff

22. Remembers to eat fruit

23. Honored his mother and father

24. Didn't give up when giving up would be easy

25. Dignified, but not in a pompous way

26. Cheers loudly for his favorites teams

27. Envelope gifts 

28. Two Christmas trees, every year

29. Made sure to drive us around to look at the lights

30. Coach

31. Timer

32. HORSE companion 

33. Devotes time to the things that matter to him

34. Let my mom get the attention she needed

35. Even if it meant sacrificing some that he may get

36. Bloody Mary recipe (though I do not personally know)

37. Taking us to baseball games 

38. Sharing Amelia Island 

39. Golf (even though he rolls the ball over)

40.  Wears pink shirts proudly 

41. And way before it was popular

42. Loved his dogs

43. Fed them ice cream 

44. Plans ahead

45. Years ahead

46. Is fiscally prepared 

47. Had convertibles 

48. Still wants a convertible

49. Knows how to keep the faith

50. Introduced me to pistachios

51. Permits me to be myself 

52. Defends me for who I am 

53. Smiles really big when he sees his grandchildren

54. Saves his change

55. Then counts and rolls it by hand

56. Can say a really good improvisational prayer

57. Comes when invited

58. Comes when needed

59. Writes in a beautiful way 

60. Organized

61. Open to where the spirit is moving

62. Protective

63. Always brought a gift home after traveling

64. Likes Chik-fil-a

65. Knows what is important and what is not

66. Let me be there when he could not

67. Kind, nice -- two overused words-- 

that in this case are true

68. Voted for Barack 

69. Does not need to be the center of attention

70. Is forgiving

71. Has gone from a pessimist to an optimist

72. But would never admit it 

73. Enjoys the morning sun 

74. Knows the value of sitting on the porch

75. Is trustworthy, reliable

Happy birthday, Dad.