HAPPY BIRTHDAY BOSSIE!!!!!

Today is my Dad's birthday. He is 60-something going on 20-something. One day he will be 90-something still going on 20-something, but that is how it has to be...

Having been born first out of 5 boys, my Dad (as well as his 4 other brothers) was raised to be a "real man" and not a "sissy, girly-man or gay". Perhaps that was the norm back in those days--during the post-war days.

Growing up, I remember him not being very expressive or chatty. He pretty much kept to himself. He worked shifts at the pulp & paper mill in Dalhousie. Worked there all his life and liked what he did. Creature of habit that he is, 2 of his daily rituals consisted (and still do) of meeting the other guys at the coffee shop and going for his 90-minute power walk up and down the steep hills of Dalhousie.

My Dad is not a big talker nor does he show much emotion, but his actions always spoke louder than words and still do today. I remember whenever our family would go to church at Christmas or Easter, he never once sat with us. He always gave up his seat to a little old lady or pregnant woman who was left standing because the church was overcrowded. He would, without hesitation, take his place standing at the back of the church...every single time. I also remember when he drove me to College for the first time during my first year. Although I felt that his goodbye was a little "short" and awkward, my Mom told me later on that he wept upon leaving.

His whole life was spent "saving" for my sister and my education. He never really indulged in anything. He was always and still is very modest. However, I'm quite happy to see how since he's retired, he seems to be enjoying himself a lot more (maybe a little too much for my conservative taste but hey, to each his own!)

For those who know Bossie well, it is no secret how the man LOVES to party. He likes to go where the action is and if there is not enough action for his taste, then he'll just create some action for everyone! He can be quite the life of the party. For instance, he and a whole group of other Acadians from New-Brunswick headed off to Louisiana back in 1999 for the International Acadian meeting. At one point, he and a whole bunch of others ended up in a Cajun-style restaurant called "Recherché", where the live fiddle favorites were blaring away. My Dad was loving the music so much that he ended up on the dance floor (all by himself). Soon afterwards a crowd started to form around him, clapping and cheering him on...and then the ultimate: the entire cooking staff dumped their pots and pans, left the kitchen and came out to join in on the fun and games. They too, clapping and cheering Bossie on! He was as happy as can be, doing the "dance des canards" and whatever other choreography he could muster at the time. What a show that must have been!

Bossie is legendary. He is a great cook, he is kind, generous, and he is the type of person who would help out anyone in need at the drop of a hat, without asking any questions or expecting anything in return (except maybe a nice cold beer...:-)

Describing Bossie simply has to be one of the toughest things to accomplish. One has to know him to understand. My Dad is an amalgam of Homer Simpson (for his work and love of beer), Forest Gump (for his speed-walking attributes) and Kellogg's Froot Loops mascott Toucan Sam ("Follow your nose! It always knows where the party is!")

I tried to reach my Dad today but he wasn't home. Duh, how could I be surprised? It's his birthday! The party probably got started as soon as the sun rose! :-)

Cheers to you, Dad! I hope this day will be a memorable one for you!