Eighty Candles

It isn't every year that one gets to celebrate with 80 candles on their birthday cake, but today my dad, Glenn Ostler gets to do just that!   

Glenn's 1st Birthday

I'll be the first to admit that our daddy-daughter relationship was not always the best, but I've mellowed and I have come to forgive all the perceived wrongs and beg his forgiveness.

Here are 80 reasons why I love my dad or a list of things he taught me:

1. He's my father.
2. He's my dad. 
3. He married my mom. 
4. He is adventurous. 
5. Drove a tractor-trailer when I was little. 
6. Employed me (even if it was for a penny a stuffed envelope). 
7. Wear baseball caps. 
8. Had a great pair of cowboy boots (I feel in love with cowboy boots because of them). 
9. Has cool childhood stories to tell. 
10. Has a testimony of the Gospel. 
11. Taught me that to lead you do. 
12. Never let fear stand in his way. 
13. Was always handy--even if I had to start the project, he would come help finish. 
14. Let me drive his three-wheeled vehicle in the back yard and even in the parking lot behind our house before I was "legal". 
15. Helped me have a love of Scouting. (I know have five Eagle Scouts too). 
16. Can whistle (I can't). 
17. Let me play "Beauty Parlor".  
18. Took us camping. (I still go to Long Beach). 
19. Is very inventive (not every family can have hot showers in the middle of nowhere). 
20. Tried his best. 
21. Honored his Priesthood. 
22. Did his home teaching. 
23. Always looking out for better ways to make a good dollar. 
24. Taught me a good work ethic. 
25. Can pack a five bedroom house in a three bedroom U-haul. 
26. Always ready to render service. 
27. Taught me that service won't kill you. 
28. Taught me to tie knots (not that I remember any of them). 
29. Taught me to pinch pennies. 
30. Taught me that success doesn't come from sitting on your bum all day, but getting up and getting it done.  
31. Taught me to love animals. 
32. Taught me to grown a garden.  
33. Took me on vacation, even if it was to Utah every summer to drop someone at school. 
34. Taught me to be brave. 
35. Taught me that "squirrels" in the middle of the night are not to be messed with. 
36. Taught me to dream big. 
37. Taught me that being afraid is OK, but doing nothing about it isn't. 
38. Taught me to play airplane. 
39. That playing steam roller is a lot of fun. 
40. That you are never too old to play dog pile with grandchildren. 
41. That past mistakes really shouldn't be held against one. 
42. That seeking forgiveness is an every day task. 
43. That it takes two to fix relationships.  
44. You are never too old to be a child and have fun. 
45. Homemade ice cream always tastes best. 
46. You are as old as you want to be. 
47. Men are just boys with bigger toys that cost a little bit more. 
48. You only need one good eye. 
49. Get the wiggles out and you will hit a golf ball  
50. Sometimes you have to give up something you love for something that loves you even more. 
51. You are never too old to feel the lose of a parent. 
52. Being right isn't always the best thing to be. 
53. Look for a father figure in the crowd. 
54. Trust your instincts because it probably is the best advice you will get right then. 
55. Honor commitments. 
56. A good lather makes for a smooth shave. 
57. Family is important; so make the drive. 
58. Age spots on your arm just mean you have lived a full life. 
59. You are never too old to climb Mt. Adams with your sons. 
60. Always have a bag of candy hidden in your desk drawer. 
61. Take naps but keep one eye open. 
62. You bleed BYU blue or not at all. 
63. Singing is good for the soul. 
64. You can still love. 
65. Learn music, because you will always be in demand at church. 
66. Always carry a business card. 
67. Raise good kids. 
68. Work hard and play harder. 
69. Swings aren't just for little people. 
70. There is always time for food. 
71. If there is a boogie man in the closet then dad always has the boogie man spray and it make him go away and your room will smell nice too. 
72. Cats and dog do go to heaven. 
73. Dog must work for their keep, even if it is just being cute. 
74. A daughter can wrap her father around her finger. 
75. You must always wear your helmet if you are going to buy a scooter. 
76. A blinking 12:00 on the VCR is OK, just look at your wrist. 
77. Try new things. 
78. There are very few things you can't do for yourself.  
79. Life is better in a pickup truck. 
80. Love, love, and love more.  

So dad, enjoy your day!

Glenn today!