The Best Things

When I talk to his family about my nephew, Rob Masterson’s birthday, I always find that they always have the best things to say. Dustie so clearly loves her husband with all her heart. She says, “My husband…there are so many things, so many ways that he is amazing. Every day I fall more in love with him and everyday I’m more grateful than the last, that God put him in my life. It’s what most people call the “little” things, but I think they are really the most important things. Like the way he will spend so much time happily humming while finding something that I’ve lost AGAIN…for the hundredth time!! Or, when he sends me a goofy picture of our cat because he knows I’m having a rough day at work. Or, when he surprises me with a cup of coffee from the coffee shop…just because. The million times he’s brought me lunch because he’s worried that I won’t eat enough at lunch. Or the time that I got a hole in my shoe at work and he went to the store and bought me the exact pair of shoes that I wear for work in the exact size that I wear and brought them to me so I wouldn’t have a holey shoe at work. He does 90% of the running around because he says I work all day and that’s the least, he can do. He puts everyone in our house before himself and as much as it aggravates me!! I love him all the more for it.” What more can I say. Anything I said would pale by comparison.

Rob’s daughter, Raelynn tells me that her dad is a silly guy. She says that he always makes her laugh on the way home from work. Rob picks Raelynn up and they are both pretty tired by that point so it’s all stupid jokes…”Dad jokes,” if you will. While Rob jokes around, he is also thoughtful and observant. He genuinely just always knows when something is up with any one of his kids. even if they don’t realize it at times. Sometimes, Raelynn just spaces out to her music on the way home, not realize I’m doing a “thing” with her hands or my legs or just moving a lot, and he’ll ask what’s wrong, and then she realizes that her day had been bad. Rob noticed before she did. He complains that he’s too old for the kids’ antics, but he still puts up with it, and Raelynn thinks that’s just how her dad will always be. She says, “I love my dad for that. I get my humor mostly exaggerates it, with dad it takes a moment to realize he made a joke or sarcastic comment and that is its own kind of funny. My dad has always been a symbol of perseverance to me. Even when he’s in pain, or tired, or sick, he keeps moving, because the world doesn’t stop because you’re in pain, or tired, or sick, and it really helped when I was having pain in school with scoliosis, and when I needed surgery, and it still helps now. Knowing my dad can do it after everything his body has been through makes me know I can do it. I can keep moving.”

Sometimes, as in Taylor’s case, it’s hard to put in words, all someone means to you. Taylor said, “Oh, I’ve been struggling to find what I want to say, but for starters he’s always ok with helping us three (Raelynn, Matt, and Taylor) with whatever it is we need. The amounts of times he’s brought me things while I’m at work more often than not real early in the morning. I’ve honestly lost count. Dad has been such a strong presence in my life that I always think if Dad can do it, so can I. Dad has gotten me food despite me saying it was fine, because he knew I had a bad day at work he knew that nacho fries from Taco Bell would make it a million times better.” Taylor tells me that Rob, like so many people, doesn’t like having his picture taken all that much, unless it’s by his sister, Liz Masterson, who’s taking them of him with Pita, his cat cuddled up to him so we don’t have a whole lot with his face, because Pita likes to lay on his back. Taylor says, “There is not a single word or language known, unknown, alive, or dead that can describe just how much I love, appreciate and need my father. He is the image of strength and knowledge that I look to when I need guidance. He doesn’t mind driving me to work at McDonald’s at 4:00am either. I can’t believe I almost forgot that he refuses to let me walk to or from work because it’s either too early or because I’ve worked 10 hours and he doesn’t want me overexerting myself.”

Rob’s son, Matt tells me that his dad is his biggest supporter. Matt says, “He always has been my hero. I couldn’t do half the of the things I can do now without his support. My dad has always been wanting to support his family in times of need and in my times, he has always been there. I just want to make my dad proud, and I hope that he has an amazing birthday!! Today is Rob’s birthday. Happy birthday Rob!! Have an wonderfully amazing, “hero’s birthday!!” Your family is all in agreement that you have earned it. They are very proud of you…all of your family!! We love you!!