The day that George became a father for the first time he was in the midst of officer training at Fort Lewis, Washington. A phone call through the U.S.O. brought him winging his way home. Luckily it was a long labor and he made it time to meet his daughter Amber. His daughter was supposed to be named "Aerie" after our favorite John Denver album...but she looked just like an "Amber" to me. From that moment on...Amber was his.
George and Amber...Deadhorse Point, Utah 1977
The day this photograph was taken, we were on our way to El Paso, Texas to Fort Bliss for Army Air Defense training. They needed one more officer for the course, so two weeks before graduation we were called to the ROTC commander's office where George was quickly sworn in as a 2nd Lieutenant. We packed up our ancient VW Bug (with the broken heater that wouldn't shut off), our meager possessions and Amber Lee. I have so many photos of a smiling George holding his little girl...and oddly enough...he's wearing the same shirt in most of them. Did I mention we were poor, struggling kids? Look at his face...he looks like a child...not the burly bearded guy he is today. We had 4 more children after Amber, but in my memories, I see the impossibly young father and his first little girl.
Happy Father's Day, Sweetheart!
I am sad...today I lost my Cherry Cream Soda font and I cannot get it back no matter what I do...I hate blogger today!
