Happy Birthday, Stephen!

Today is Stephen's birthday!  This precious picture was taken on his first Christmas when he was just over six weeks old. The little one-piecer was a bright, Christmasy red and he looked so cute in it.

We were with Grammie Ruth and Grampie Jim on that Christmas at one of the homes they owned on the Station Road in Littleton. This house we always called the "Perley Strong House" to differentiate it from the farm house they once had and from the house trailer that replaced it after it burned.

Where, oh where does the time go? This little guy is now a husband to Jeannie and Dad to four. Emily just voted for the first time! Joshua will be in high school next year. David and Samuel are in 3rd grade and kindergarten. 

I think Stephen's most endearing quality is his appreciation for family. He and Jeannie are just a sweet couple!  His passion is to support and care for his wife and children. He is always concerned for their welfare. And we appreciate that so much about him.

I remember how, as a little child, he stayed with us if we had something to do. For example, if I was snipping beans or shelling peas he wouldn't run off and play like the others. He always stayed by our sides when there was something he could do to help. Sometimes I see the others running about the yard and I would say, "go play, Stephen".  He always said that he wanted to help me. 

Sometimes his tender heart and kindness worked to his disadvantage, though. One particular incident I remember is that he was given 50 cents to go to a school circus at the "Campus School" for elementary kids on the UMM campus. He came home so happy with his purchase of homemade fudge. Immediately his preschool siblings began to beg for some of it and Stephen kindly broke off bit after bit for them until finally it was all eaten. At that point, Stephen sat down and cried because it was all gone and therefore none left for him. Generous to a fault, he always thinks of others first. 

Probably one of his fondest memories was when he had the opportunity to go on a Moose Hunt with his Dad. And they got a big one. It was lots of meat in our freezer and greatly appreciated. But food on the table couldn't hold a candle, I am sure, to the adventure with his Dad and his brother Kevin. Oh, the days of childhood and the sweet memories!