A Class Act turns 65 today

[DFW]

No, not me. I mean Mrs. DFW

Having met me 43 years ago, she not only has survived the time with me, but has raised two amazing daughters, battled and beat cancer twice, even though one of them is fatal 99% of the time (this is the best 1% to be in, forget the money version).

As a teenager in the flat farmland of northwestern Germany, way before me:
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On her first visit to the USA, a year after we met:
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Making me a turban a year before finally getting married:
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1982: Finally! We never did find the time to arrange a wedding, but my brother invited us to tag along at his, so we had a double

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Pregnant with daughter #1, a delayed honeymoon on the tiny Adriatic island of Ilovik
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1995: She gets to meet her first US President
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1998: Her first visit to Spain with me
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1998: Winter in Zagorsk, Russia, at -23°. Side note, I didn't have a big enough hat, so our friend in Moscow lent me his Chechen hat, which almost got me shot by a security guard, since this was when the Chechens were bombing things in Moscow.
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2005: hanging with a legend and daughter #1 in L.A. (cancer #1 is now four years behind her)
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2007: hanging with another legend and daughter #2in Washington
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2017: Now, at age 65, cancer #2 ("the murderer&quot less than a year behind her
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And posterity need not worry--we are leaving two amazing daughters to carry on when we no longer can:
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Here's a big happy birthday to one of most impressive 65 year women that ever walked the earth!

(Whatever persuaded her to spend all this time with me, I'll never know, but you'll hear no complaints from me!)

[MyOwnPeace]

1. SUPER-congrats!

Best wishes to a marvelous lady and the guy lucky enough to have married her!

[DFW]

17. I won life's biggest lottery, that's for sure.

I know I should be used to it by now, but sometimes, I still can't believe it.

[Lionel Mandrake]

69. I know the feeling.

[DFW]

72. I have seen that first hand.

But then, you and Peggy are the only DUers that have met us both!

[The Wielding Truth]

2. Thanks for sharing. You both have been very blessed.

[DFW]

49. We prefer to think we've been lucky

Two bouts of cancer and a heart attack with a few near-misses are part of our story too. But we've so far beat all that Mother Nature has tossed our way, and we know not everyone has fared so well, so we try not to dwell on it too much.

[TexasProgresive]

3. Thanks for the photo-essay- it's sweet.

Your daughters have their Mom's smile, thankfully not Dad's beard.

[DFW]

18. They definitely got the right mix of genes

Better than the other way around......

[TexasProgresive]

31. Well I have always been a fan, DFW. So I think they got great stuff from both parents.

[DFW]

51. I don't know. Sometimes I still think a DNA test is in order

But then I think, naaaaaah why stir up the pot?

[TexasProgresive]

56. Like me I guess you married up!

[DFW]

58. You got THAT right!

The first time I laid eyes on her, I figured, WOW, but what chance does a nerd like me have with a girl like THAT? But then the light bulb went on, hey, even women like "THAT" end up marrying SOMEone, so why NOT me? And besides, if I went though life with that attitude, I'd end up a hermit. And so---lo and behold, here we are, still together 43 years later, just because I finally worked up the courage to talk to someone that I REALLY wanted to meet.

[Lionel Mandrake]

71. That reminds me of a conversation

(probably apocryphal) between Albert Einstein and Marilyn Monroe, that supposedly went something like this:

Marilyn: We should get married. With my looks and your brains, our kids would be great.

Albert: What if the kids got my looks and your brains?

[DFW]

73. Probably?

Whoever places money on THAT one ever really having taken place would be better off donating the cash to a widows and orphans fund somewhere.

[Lionel Mandrake]

79. I dunno.

The bridge salesman in New York swore he heard that conversation.

[DFW]

106. Oh, well THAT'S different.

He. of all people, ought to know.........

[Lionel Mandrake]

110. It didn't do him any good.

I wasn't really in the market for a bridge, and he had given up on selling land in Florida when Burmese pythons took over the choicest properties.

[DFW]

111. Smart choice

I heard those Burmese pythons are some of the toughest real estate negotiators out there. Even Trump never attempted to take them on.

[Lionel Mandrake]

118. Yep.

They know how to put the squeeze on the competition.

[pandr32]

4. So glad she is a survivor

...and you both are happy. Wonderful news to share and a reminder that love and caring are important.
Too many struggle with health issues--often alone.
A happy birthday to your lovely wife!

[DFW]

19. She went through hell to get here

But she IS a survivor. My heart goes out to all who go though anything like that alone.

[pandr32]

37. Wishing her cancer-free days ahead

..and sending aloha to both of you.

[DFW]

40. Mahalo!

She has had more than enough cancer-filled days, so we're hoping she has seen the last of them.

[Ilsa]

5. Beautiful pictures! Congratulations!

This looks to be a good life.

[DFW]

20. There were many bumps along the way

But it didn't seem appropriate to burden the celebration with them. Most days involve too much work and too little sleep just like everyone else.

[Lady_Chat]

6. What a beautiful family you have!

Happy Birthday to your wife! May all your lives be filled with happiness, health and love!

[DFW]

21. Thanks for that!

The health part has been a struggle, but most people get to confront that sooner or later.

[MarianJack]

7. Congrats to Mrs. DFW!

Yours is a beautiful Family!

PEACE!

[DFW]

22. Thanks!!

We just do what we do, and hope for a minimum of nasty news to bring us down.

[Bigredhunk]

8. -

Very cool!

Mazel

[DFW]

23. Toda raba! n/t

[bearssoapbox]

9. A very Happy Birthday to her!

And a big Congratulations to you both.

Here's to continuing good health for her, and your family.

[DFW]

53. Thanks, we need all the luck we can get in that regard! n/t

[mnhtnbb]

10. Happy Birthday to Frau DFW!

[DFW]

55. Danke!

As the friendly natives say.

[gademocrat7]

11. Wonderful photos!

Happy Birthday, Mrs.DFW! Celebrate!

[DFW]

24. We are!

Our younger daughter drove up from the Frankfurt area, and about 20 friends drove in from all over northern Germany.

[spooky3]

12. Congrats, happy birthday, and many more!

[Scarsdale]

13. Congratulations

Glad she met the correct president. What a treat for you both. Happy birthday, and many more of them to you.

[DFW]

25. Actually, she was more impressed by Al Gore

It's a good thing he was still married to Tipper at the time!

I've met most presidents since LBJ (except Nixon, Reagan and Bush, Jr). I still hope to introduce her to Obama. I am not interested in being within a thousand miles of the current travesty, and neither is she.

[panader0]

14. You are both very lucky to love each other so much.

Happy Birthday Mrs. DFW!

[DFW]

28. We know

And we never forget it.

Thanks for the sentiment!

[Happyhippychick]

15. Best post of the week! Mazel tov!

[DFW]

26. Toda Raba!

It's a special day for her. I thought I'd let DU tag along.

[Fla Dem]

16. Wonderful tribute to your wife and family. May you have many more years together. nt

[DFW]

27. We'll take every one we can get!

We hope there are many!

[Polly Hennessey]

29. Your wife is beautiful

I loved the photos. Seeing a photo history is super. You look very happy. You made my Sunday better.

[DFW]

48. The photo history is nowhere near complete

But it gives a vague idea. We're as happy as a couple can be who has gone through all we had to go through to get here, but we're happy where we are, and we know only too well that many--very many--are worse off.

If we made your Sunday better, well, then that is already some nice payback.

[LisaM]

30. Wait- why doesn't she age?

I mean seriously!

[DFW]

41. She is German. Germans can be very stubborn.

She'll age when she's good and ready, and until then no one is going to tell her otherwise!

Seriously, the years have not left her unchanged, but they HAVE been very kind to her, and she wears her 65 years with far more grace than I do.

[CaliforniaPeggy]

32. Happy Birthday to your wonderful and beautiful wife, my dear DFW!

I hope she has a wonderful day, celebrating this awesome milestone.

I know how happy you both are.........we felt so lucky to finally be able to meet you last year, and see your joy in person!

Loved the photos!

Many more happy years to you both!

[DFW]

42. We had a wonderful time visiting with you and Mandrake last year

Our path will not lead us anywhere near the West Coast this year, unfortunately, and she is heading right back to Germany after Cape Cod this time. Her mom will be having a big celebration for her 90th birthday in September, and she is doing most of the planning. If you can get your spare parts in working order, maybe we can host you over here soon!

[CaliforniaPeggy]

62. Ah, those are the breaks!

This year we will be up in Oregon for the total solar eclipse, so we won't be around either!

Maybe, just maybe I can talk Mandrake into another European trip one of these years! IF we do, we will almost surely come visit you both!

All the best to her mom on her 90th birthday! That will be a celebration to see!

[DFW]

67. Your room is waiting for you.

We can have dinner in the castle next door, and we'll take you down to the archeological museum just a 20 minute drive from here in the Neander Valley. (Neander Valley in German is "Neandertal," and yes THAT Neandertal--the original find site was just a couple of miles south of our house)

[CaliforniaPeggy]

70. Very cool!

I'll make sure Mandrake sees your post!

And thank you......it sounds wonderful!

[Lionel Mandrake]

84. Small world.

Some of my ancestors were Neanderthals.

[DFW]

107. That must have been a while back

They haven't spelled it with an "h" in these parts since the end of the 19th century

[volstork]

33. Beautiful!

Thanks for sharing, and congratulations!

[Duppers]

34. Congratulations to your beautiful wife.

You both have had a MOST interesting life! And what beautiful daughters you have.

Thanks for sharing with us.

🎉🎈

[DFW]

47. Thanks!!

The daughters were mostly her doing. I was tolerated to hang around so they would learn English, which did work, as a matter of fact. They are now both fully bi-lingual.

[grantcart]

35. I love your tribute threads for Mrs DFW

Going out on a limb and say in a very lucky man is about to get a little luckier!

[DFW]

43. You can't get much luckier than I already am

She's worth every tribute I think of, and a few more. Around 45 years ago, she was suggested for a job as a model. She passed and chose to become a social worker instead. I'm talking about THAT kind of luck.

[sueh]

36. Happy Birhday, Mrs DFW! Here's to many more fine years ahead!

[DFW]

46. We're hoping, thanks! n/t

[Loryn]

38. Happy Birthday Mrs. DFW!

She and I share a birthday. Best wishes for many more!

[DFW]

44. Well, in that case....

Happy Birthday to you ,too!!

[shenmue]

39. Happity birfdeeee

[DFW]

45. Thanks, merci, danke, and eskerrik asko!

(just to vary things up a bit)

[Mira]

50. A magnificent tribute to your beautiful wife

in words and photos. Thank you for doing and feeling it.
(it's my birthday as well, today. And I'm from the hilly Southern parts of Germany) immigrated on my own on a coal freighter from Rotterdam in the sixties)

[DFW]

52. Well, then Happy Geburtstag to you too!

Hilly parts? Baden-Württemberg or Bayern?

[Mira]

57. Thank you so much!

Schwäbisch Hall and Augsburg

[Lotusflower70]

54. Aw that's so sweet

What a beautiful and loving tribute. Congrats on the love. A very strong and powerful woman. Happy Birthday Mrs. Dfw.

[DFW]

59. Very perceptive. She IS strong and powerful. It was a good fit

When we met, I didn't know this, but her previous boyfriends were very possessive and crowded her. I, on the other hand, was living on another continent with no chance of moving right away, and so I was hoping mightily I could still hold on to her while letting her lead her life the way she wanted, without constant intervention from me. She had the independence I cherished while I let her have the freedom she craved. It was a pretty good match from the start.

[Lotusflower70]

68. That's the perfect mix

With the right partner, there is trust and security to allow each individual to thrive and flourish independently as well as enhancing each other. Togetherness is wonderful and so is space. Guys that are possessive or crowd me drive me crazy.

It's an interesting dilemma to be independent and want to be taken care of. Some guys do not understand that the two can meld. I am a nurturer and a caretaker but I also can handle my own business. I want that mutual exchange. I trust as I give it time, things will sort themselves out.

[DFW]

75. Your trust is well-placed

After 43 years together, I can state with a great degree of certainty that things have sorted themselves out perfectly. Like the song says, "a little respect...."

Unless a man figures out that the best and most loyal partner is the one who never feels claustrophobic, he will never truly be happy or secure with his partnership. It always seemed obvious to me, and here I am 43 years later with proof that it works.

[TeamPooka]

60. Happy Anniversary! Thank you for sharing your wonderful memories with us!

[DFW]

61. Thanks for that

Actually, it's her 65th birthday, not our 65th anniversary. Look for that in 30 years!

[TxDemChem]

63. A very happy birthday

To Mrs. DFW

[DFW]

65. Thanks! It was

As usual, she made enough food to feed the Chinese army for a week, so no one left hungry or empty-handed.

[Hekate]

64. What gorgeous photos those are, happiness shining thru all of them...

Blessings for a long and healthy future for both of you.

[DFW]

66. Appreciated, as usual, Hekate!

I don't know how long our health will hold out, but we intend to make the most of what time we have.

[moonscape]

74. Wonderful photos, wonderful tribute! Who is

the first legend man with your wife and daughter 2?

[DFW]

77. That is daughter number 1. The man's name is Stan Lee.

Stan will be an incredible 95 this December and is still going strong. He gets bit parts as a gag in all movies about Marvel super-heroes, such as Spider-Man, Iron Man, the Avengers, and the others. The reason for that is that he created ALL of them--something like 60 years ago!

[moonscape]

88. Ah thanks! I know him (not personally, but ...), only didn't recognize. n/t

[steve2470]

76. Happy Birthday to your great wife!

All the best to you and your lovely family!

[DFW]

78. Thanks, Steve, as always! n/t

[onecent]

80. Happy Birthday. What wonderful pictures!!!!

[luvMIdog]

81. Happy Birthday to your wife. I loved all the photo sharing & story :)

[DFW]

94. This is the short version

The long version would need its own website!

[calimary]

82. Very Nice, DFW! A lovely tribute to a magnificent woman.

Lucky, you are! And congrats to her!

[DFW]

97. Lucky I am indeed!

My world would have been VERY different without her (and some other lucky slob would have gotten her).

[NNadir]

83. Congratulations on a life well lived. Nice turban by the way. n/t.

[DFW]

90. Yeah, she doesn't make me turbans any more

But then these days, it's probably safer without one.

[CousinIT]

85. What a sweet post! She's amazing and deserves the pride you have in her!

HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Mrs. DFW --- and wishing you MANY more!

[DFW]

102. You know? You're right.

I am indeed VERY proud of her. She went through hell twice with her own cancer scares, once in between when her younger brother died from it, and cut her career short to raise our daughters while I was mostly on the road. After all the bumps in the road we have encountered, she still faces each day with a smile, and always has one for me when we wake up in the morning. I'd be impressed if I had been describing my next door neighbor's grandmother. I am extremely lucky to say it's my partner in life.

[UTUSN]

86. Gosh, exceedingly lovely all around

Last edited Mon Jun 26, 2017, 10:43 PM - Edit history (2)

[DFW]

93. Then as now.

Like I said, she is a class act.

[Doug the Dem]

87. Congratulations, My Friend

We are, both of us, very fortunate men to have a beautiful woman actually SEE something worthwhiles in our sorry asses!

[DFW]

91. Three cheers for nearsightedness!

I'm not sure she saw much of anything too clearly at first, but like I said, I'm not complaining!

[Samantha]

89. Lovely pictures, DFW, and what a wonderful family you have

Congratulations for taking all the right steps.

Sam

[DFW]

92. Thanks, Samantha, but it's not that we took any of those steps because we knew what we were doing

Each followed their own nature, and ours just seemed to fit perfectly. Whereas she gets along with mostly everyone, most women used to ignore me until she came along. For that matter, until I had been with her for a while, maybe they were right! She definitely made me into something better than I was before.

[PatrickforO]

95. Every once in a while, there is a story that inspires, a story of

enduring love.

You made a nice couple then, and you make a nice couple now! Your daughters are awesome, and I hope they realize how truly blessed they are with parents like you.

[DFW]

99. We did all we could for our daughters

Raised them bi-lingually, let them choose their own paths, I even spent every cent of cash I inherited when my folks passed away on their educations, since they both wanted to go to school in the USA. My sister bought a house with her portion (she has no children). I bought my daughters' future with mine, and don't regret a cent of it. They both know and appreciate it, which is all we ask in return.

[AgadorSparticus]

96. Congratulations & Best wishes!

[iluvtennis]

98. awwwh...congrats - nice family

[lapucelle]

100. Beautiful then...

beautiful now...beautiful always.

[DFW]

101. That's the way my eyes see her, anyway

Couldn't agree more!

[smirkymonkey]

103. Alles Gute zum Geburtstag, Frau DFW!

What a lovely family you have! And I am touched by the way you speak so fondly and lovingly of them.

I wish you all much health, happiness and peace in the years to come!

[DFW]

104. They are very special to me

Which I see no reason to conceal.

Nothing is a given, not health, not happiness, not peace. However, we all want them just like any other sane person, so thanks for the wishes, and we will try to make all that reality!

[Zorro]

105. Here are a couple of songs for you two, depending on your mood

[KatyMan]

108. Beautiful post, DFW

I always enjoy your posts and wish you the best!

[DFW]

113. Much appreciated!

The same for you and yours, we hope.

[BainsBane]

109. Your posts about your wife are so touching

Happy Birthday to her, and the best to both of you.

[DFW]

112. Thanks for that

She makes it VERY easy for me. Forty-three years have gone by in an eyeblink, and only the long list of memories bear witness to the fact that it really has been that long.

[SwissTony]

114. Wonderful photos. Congratulations, to all your family.

I wish you all many, many more happy years.

Two questions about the Presidential photo (of course, you are under no obligation to answer)

1) is that your brother and his wife flanking your wife? I'm pretty sure the answer is yes, so...

2) are you wearing a gong round your neck? The gentleman on your right seems to have received one and you seem to have some sort of object on your chest but it's obscured by the lady in front).

[DFW]

115. In order:

1. correct on both counts

2. I'm not wearing anything of the sort. It's probably just my tie color. On the other hand, my dad was president of the Gridiron Club that year, and he was wearing the ceremonial presidential ribbon with a gridiron hanging from it. Clinton called my dad by his first name, but in correspondence, he referred to him as President (our family name).

What my dad has in his hand is an envelope containing an original ornate levee bond from Arkansas from the year 1871 that I had found in a shop in Paris. I gave it to Clinton and later received a personal note from him saying that he liked it so much, he had it framed and hanging on the wall at Camp David. Since it had cost me $175, I sent the White House the invoice, since presidents are allowed to keep personal gifts received in office if they are valued at under $200. I'm pretty sure he kept it, as he remembered me by name the several times we met up after he left office.

[DFW]

116. I looked again

I remembered--Gridiron is a White Tie event, always has been. I think it must have been an extension of my sister's earrings. She is the one in blue.

[SwissTony]

117. It was the ties that got me thinking.

The "visible" ties are White, so I assumed the non-visible ties (The President's, your's) were also white. So, I was not at all sure if the colour was due to an earring or to a medal.

The photogenic nature of your family extends to all members, not simply your wife and daughters.