David Gee
is for-ty,
Ha, ha, ho,
ho, and hee, hee!
Thoughts
for you on your 40th birthday from family and friends . . .
June 3,
2015
HAPPY 40TH BIRTHDAY CHEERS TO OUR
WONDERFUL SON, DAVID MOSS!!!
David, it's a privilege to
have this opportunity to send birthday cheers your way on this milestone
birthday. You've made it to age 40!! YEAH! I am so grateful to have
had you as a part of my life for the last forty years. You have been a
joy to me, MOST OF THE TIME! It's been fun to watch you grow and have
opportunities and challenges. You've been able to take your place in this
world and be a positive influence for good. You've also been able to
handle problems as they have come along, and done your best to solve them, and not
let them get you down.
To see you function as a
good and faithful husband and father has been comforting and rewarding.
It also means so much to me to see that you love the Lord, and your
Heavenly Father, and want to be faithful to the covenants you have made with
them! This is SO important!
I know that you are not
perfect, but I want you to know that I'm proud to call you my son! Be
careful climbing this Mt. Washington!! I'd hate to lose you at this point
in your life. Have a great birthday and know that we will be thinking of
you and praying for your safety.
Lots of Love,
Mom
David, I can echo Mom's
comments above. (That saves typing space down here) As I heard that you
were going c-l-I-m-b-I-n-g, I just want to say that I hope you are NOT riding a
4-wheeler (ala Sand Hills)! I appreciate your faithfulness in all you
actions, thoughts, and examples, not only to your family (extended also), but
to those around you, whether at home, work or traveling the world over. Your
trust in discussing possible decisions and actions with your parents is much
appreciated. I am very grateful to be able to call you OUR son!
Happy birthday David! You have always been
a great example to me of a brother, father, husband, son-in-law, neighbor, friend
and priesthood bearer. Thanks for being such a stellar feller for 40 years, and
for always taking such good care of my sister, Joy, and the boys.
–Dan
Old Man Dave, I have
recently come to one conclusion. I think that it has been a blessing that you
do not live closer, especially in your old age. I have come to realize that you
would probably be an invalid if you lived closer due to the danger that the
adventures of the West present to you. It seems like every time you come out
here you get injured. Since no one else has the courage to tell you, I guess I
will have to be the bearer of bad news. Dave you are no longer a Teenager,
you're an old man. All kidding aside now, we love you just the way you are. You
are a great husband and father to your family and a great brother-in-law
and friend to me. Thanks for all of the good times. Just don't ask to ride any
of our toys when you come to visit this summer. Have a great birthday. I sure
am glad that I am not as old as you. Cheers, Ben
From your
father-in-law:
It is hard to remember when I was forty, it was
so long ago, but I do
distinctly remember that I seemed so old. It
wasn't so much that I
looked or felt old it just sounded so old. I am
in my forties, are you
kidding! I remember when I was young that forty
years olds were too
old to relate to my problems and certainly too
worn out and aged to be
able to keep up with us teenagers. How surprised
and humbled I was
when I came to realize that in almost everything
that was measurable I
as a teenager was outwitted and outperformed by
forty year olds. All I
can say is enjoy it now because even if it is
true today. the next
decade will be a totally different story. The
decaying process will
soar out of control, things will stop working
and other things will
work when they shouldn't. All-in-all your pretty
much done when you
turn fifty so my advice to you my friend is to
make every minute of
the forties count. Don't set around for a
minute, their is no time to
rest. Climb that mountain, run that race,
challenge that youngster,
test your endurance, do that thing that you have
wanted to do, but
just couldn't put it together. Get new exercise
gear and wear it out.
You have ten years, that should be plenty of
time.
I am envious of each of you that will be
celebrating your birthday on
Mt. Washington. That would be a dream come true
for me as well. My
last mountain hike was with Dan on the mountain
just north of Mt.
Washington.
I am happy for you and your boys. I will be
praying for good weather
and comfy nights. I can see all of you setting
around the fire
watching the coals, roasting marsh mellows and
singing "Home on the
Range". What a great picture, don't let me
down!
Happy Big One David, Love Grandpa Von
Good heavens, my good man, you are
forty
just as fresh, just as eager and sporty
The path has been full
Not a moment was dull
And at least your not as old as Shannon Daugherty
(45)
I have just learned of your adventure up Mt.
Washington. Very cool. I am jealous to be sure. Had you not already overcome
many an obstacle and challenge in your life with grace and poise, I would be concerned.
As is it is, I am not. Plus you'll be like a mobile Eagle Scout unit out there
(but don't ask Dan to tie a knot, probably has not done that since his Eagle
Board of Review).
Thanks for taking care of my sister and being a
great brother! You have always been such a good example to me (e.g. how to make
it forty fresh eager and sporty) :)
Happy Birthday Dave!
Jake
David Gee, David Gee,
The most pleasantest fellow you ever
did see;
Straight as an arrow and tall as
tree
‘Tis he with the name of David Gee.
David Gee, David Gee,
Husband of one; dad of two times
three;
A bishop of many who pray
fer-vent-lee
To escape from the bondage of ol’
David Gee
David Gee, David Gee,
As he aged he was prone to much
ac-ci-den-cee;
Breaks and sprains and a blown-out
old knee
Were the luck and the lot of ol’
David Gee.
David Gee, David Gee,
Had no better luck with bugs and
fleas;
Was bit by a tick and thence gifted
Disease
Of the Lyme—oh the unlucky, poor
David Gee!
David Gee, David Gee,
Arrived at the age of a “four” plus
a “tee”—
An age even farther than his eyes
can now see!
What a joyous occasion for ol’ David
Gee!
David Gee, David Gee,
Now enters his Golden Years wild and
free;
Dentures and bingo and afternoon tea
Are now the pursuits of ol’ David
Gee.
David Gee, David Gee,
Might as well be one hundred and
three;
Can’t jump and can’t bend and cant’
hear and can’t pee;
Can’t get any worse for ol’ David
Gee.
David Gee, David Gee,
May it be the best birthday you ever
did see!
May you bask in the friendship of
fans like me!
Long live the birthday boy, ol’
David Gee!
-Charles Adam
Treadwell
David
Moss, dear David Moss--
To compete with Adam's poem
I'm completely at a loss.
I've tried and tried
But to no avail...
So now I think
From the attempt I'll bail.
Happy 40th! You're just paving the way for the
rest of us, who are hot on your heels. Have a fantastic time celebrating!
-Michelle
Treadwell
Happy Birthday David!!!
We can't believe 40 has
arrived so quickly, but you have aged well.:) We hope your day is a
tremendous one and that your Mt. Washington trip is amazing. Thanks for your
quiet, steady influence for good in our family. You are the best! And now the
challenge begins to see who ages the most gracefully! (Personally, I think I'm
in the lead!)
We love you!
Jennifer, David, and the rest of the bunch
There is no more kind or genuine person than you. I love
watching you with your kids, you are so patient. It is something that I admire
even more now that I am a parent. Thanks for being so kind to me and for always
being a good example. Your kids are lucky to have you and of course Becky. 😉
you make sure to remind them of that. I am so happy that you are a part of our
family. I hope that your birthday is a good one.
Ps. I was worried to turn 30, I am really glad
that it wasn't 40 😉
Moohaha
Love ya,
Deborah
David--
I always wanted an older
brother. When I would imagine happily ever after, I dreamed of my husband
and children, but I really never thought about my brother in laws.
Honestly, gaining an older brother was just an added bonus to marrying
into this great family.
My emotions are close to
my heart, and I actually am teary as I think about how much I love you and your
family.
We were driving around
Isle of Palms, Todd was out of town and you were in front of me (going some
crazy way) and Eric was behind me. I had a moment where I just swelled
with love for both of you. I felt safe there, surrounded by two strong,
good men (who I can still beat in a game of Settlers).
David, you are a good
man, a sweet husband, a fun uncle, and the best older brother I could have ever
asked for. I'm so grateful for you. I sometimes laugh when I say an
idiom wrong and nobody notices, because I know you would laugh at me. I
think of you every time I make a salad with a lot of toppings. (I spent
the first five years of my marriage making extra-topping salads when you ate
with us, because I didn't realize your "You like A LOT of salad
toppings" was not meant as a compliment.) When I eat good bite of
food, I wish you were there because I know how much you would love it.
When someone talks in a quiet, serious, intellectual voice I chuckle a
little thinking of you. I love seeing you carry around my little girls
who adore you.
I'm glad you're here to
celebrate another year! Even though I got a higher ACT score than you,
you will always be my older brother. And, I love you brother. I'm
grateful for your place in my forever family.
Please, don't fall of a
cliff this weekend.
Jen
Bro, you are great. Really. That about sums you
up. Stop and think about what it means to be a great bishop--that's you.
Great dad--that's you. Great husband--that's you. Great
brother--that's you, too.
Happy birthday
fratello. It really is nice to be close to you guys.
--Todd
(Jen says Todd's note
is best read with a New Jersey mafia-Rocky accent.)
Happy big 40 to Dae Dae Mah! Hope you have a great day and that you don't
feel too old! We sure love you David! Have fun today!
From the Michigan
Mosses
Dabido dominguez, David
terwilliger moss, my brother from another mother. I always wanted an older
brother, well that's probably not true, but almost 20 years ago I got one.
Luckily I was better looking and grew better facial hair. I remember driving
with you and hearing firehouse in the car. It was love at first hear. You are
everything a guy could want from an older brother, silly, awkward at times,
moments of hilarity, spirituality, and just thereness ( I think I made up a
word).
40 YEARS OLD! ! Hot
snot, though I am not too far behind you, I am glad you get to pave the way,
remember your first gray hair? I do. (Yours, not mine). Let's see, these have
been an eventful 40 years no doubt, but my involvement in them is getting
pretty close to 20 of them. Let's focus on those.
I have always been
impressed with you, since the first I heard you were engaged to my little
sister, I told you I consider you my brother. Brothers have memories. Let me
share with you some i remember. You were there when I backed into another car
in some grocery store parking lot. I sent you in to call the police. We were
body surfing buds in Mexico when we stayed in rosarito. We were canoe mates at
scout camp and we were the only pair that didn't tip over in the cold snake
river, so of course another group decided to ram us and make us tip over. Man
that was cold. You took me rafting for my bachelor party (or at least we used
your grandma's raft ) and it was raining like, serious bad all the way there,
then it cleared up just as we loaded the raft, and stayed nice for the float
down, and started down pouring as soon as we excited the water. When we got to
your grandma's house she told us a tornado hit salt lake causing all kinds of damage.
. That was crazy! I remember you with brand new baby eli, holding him and
trying to put him to sleep and thinking what an awesome dad you were going to
be. Speaking of father hood, I remember being at topaz mountain and having to
take Andrew to go dig a hole. .... you made a snide and funny remark about the
joys of being a dad, and at that very moment we all watch as Gabriel, on the
top of a hill no less, drop his pants and pooped all over his clothes. It was
perfect timing. I remember missing the cesena station on the train ride from
Venice, and you didn't complain about the longer drive to pick us up, even
though it was late and I knew you were tired. I remember an awesome trip to
Naples, getting taken by a guy at the gas station, buying a vesuviuo pizza and
having a raw egg cracked on the top of it. It was delicious! I remember you
washing deena' s puke of the passenger door, after driving the crazy roads of
Naples while 8 months pregnant. I remember taking shelter from the deluge, in a
brothel with pictures of what the 'ladies' offered while in Pompeii. I remember
you having the first car I ever saw that the phone connected with blue tooth
and you could hear it through the car speakers. That was rad! This could go on
for ever.
I am waxing nostalgic.
But isn't that what old people do? I wouldn't know, but you sure would! Dang
....40! That's like really old, really your best years are behind you, nothing
really to look forward to from here on out. I didn't want to bring this up, but
I have been worried for awhile that you may have early onset alshimiers or at
least dementia. This has concerned me just the last 20 years or so. It can
happen with old people, so it can be expected. I hope all your affairs are in
order. I hope is not to late to make appropriate plans.
J/K of course.
I love you man, I hope
you have an awesome day, and know that we here in the joshua von Callister clan
are thinking of you. Thanks for paving the way!
Dearest David,
I'm thrilled to write you a little note on this most special
of days--in truth, a celebration of one of the greatest men I know. My
hope is that you'll receive this letter with the humblest of hearts, thus
preventing an increase in the diameter of your head. I'd like you and your
head to remain just as they are. Proportional.
These past couple of days, I spent some time thinking
about my childhood memories and your face appeared in some of my happiest
recollections. I thought it would be fun to share the joy, so to
speak. Are you ready?
There were countless Sundays at our Maryland house
when we were in the yard throwing the football. You would draw plays
on the inside of your hand, telling me where to run. You taught me how to
throw a spiral--it was a Nerf football, soft and easy to hold in my little
hands.
You were my two-square buddy, and I tried so hard to
imitate your skills and strategies.
Looking back, I still can't believe that you took the time
to play games with me. I remember asking you to play Boggle (we
played Boggle a lot, didn't we?) and I had pre-arranged the cubes so
that I could spell E-S-P-E-C-I-A-L-L-Y. You called me out, darn it.
I remember you using your pencil to point out the words you found. You
always won. Always.
And RISK, didn't we have fun playing RISK? I remember
listening to you so I could learn how to say, "Kamchatka."
Monopoly (you liked to be the shoe or the top hat) and The Farming Game
were also some of our favorites.
I remember in our basement in Maryland, we would take
balloons and stuff them in our shirts. Then we'd run, jump on the little
trampoline that was next to the arm of the couch and we'd sail over the
armrest, landing on our bellies, and the balloons wouldn't pop. Or the
army game you created with rubber bands.
Swimming at the Phelp's Luck Pool, and the bike ride to get
there, towels around our necks. Sharks and Minnows. Diving off the
diving board. I even remember sunbathing in ankle socks because you and
Chris O'Gwin had sock tans and I thought it was the coolest thing ever!
Do you remember playing cops and robbers with throw
pillows? We'd start upstairs in Mom and Dad's room,
while one person hid downstairs. We'd have to throw our little
square pillow and hit the person in order to "kill" them.
Tennis in the cul-de-sac was so fun. Always. As
a kid, that cul-de-sac seemed huge.
During the summer, I remember you helping me create a
Robotech guy in our garage. You boys would set up a card table out there
with your multi-faced dice that you kept in a little woven basket one of you
made in a class at school.
I was so jealous about the paper route. Especially
when you got to throw the papers out the car window and you had to time it
just right, so it would land right in the middle of their driveway.
One thing I will never forget was when--unbeknownst to
me--you took my copy of "Like A Prayer" that I got from Lindsay
Helwig's older sister and recorded over it with your own lyrics. I was
furious! I remember putting the cassette in the silver radio we use to
keep above the television, and my jaw dropped when I heard
your completely un-Madonna-like voice. I could've killed you.
Be grateful you're still alive.
I don't know how many times I heard you downstairs, in
Michigan, doing the dishes, belting out the tenor part of "The Star
Spangled Banner." I can still hear the tune in my head to
this day.
And the countless times I snuck into your room in the
basement and looked through your drawers and closet. I remember reading
your journal (have I ever apologized for that? I am so sorry.) and
laughing at the entry where you had wanted to kiss Emily Fransen so badly, but
you didn't, and you were so mad at yourself that you wanted to
"punch a whole in the wall." Boy, did I feel sneaky when I read
that.
One of my favorite memories is sneaking down the basement
stairs, only to catch you standing in the bathroom, shirtless, flexing
your trapezius (?) muscles. You chased me up the stairs so
fast. I even think I remember you yelling, "Net, I'm gonna kill
you!"
Aren't little sisters the best?
David, without a doubt, you were an awesome part of my
childhood. Even though I was a little girl, I wanted to be just like you,
and the reason is because you took the time to be with me (to tolerate me?), to
play with me, to teach me. Always teaching.
I don't think that's really changed. You are, by
nature, one who desires to teach or share what you are learning, whether it's a
cool trick or a neat fact or some athletic skill. And you genuinely want
people to understand what you're trying to teach them. You are a good man
to the core.
Even though we're older, adults, I still have a tender
spot in my heart just for you. I am so grateful that Heavenly Father
blessed me with a truly fantastic older brother. I always felt
safe with you. I never doubted your commitment to the Lord
(amazingly, I can say this about all of my siblings. What a gift.).
You helped set my course.
I hope this day is filled with love for you. That you
realize the difference you make in the lives of others. In my life.
This really is a day to celebrate.
I love you, David.
Always,
Lanette
Your Hairs are graying,
hip-hip-hooray
I won’t ever let you
wear
a toupee ;)
Aging with you sounds
oh,
so sweet
I love you, Mister
TVB!!!
Your
very own,
Reba
