Happy Birthday, Dad.By James Hamilton

Today is my father's 84th birthday. He'll spend the day going to work (yes, he still works full time), visiting with my mother at her assisted living center, and then have a wonderful meal tonight lovingly prepared by my wife. His children and their spouses will surround him and sing "Happy Birthday". It should be a good day for him.

My parents are part of "The Greatest Generation". And, for me, I think they deserve that. Perhaps they only did what other parents throughout the ages have done for their children, but these are MY parents. And I'm proud of their accomplishments.

So have a great day, Dad. And know that your children and grandchildren will never desert you. Know that we value you more than we value Social Security and that we'll never do anything to take a penny away from you. Any person or organization that claims otherwise is pushing a political cause.

But Dad, let me remind you of the apple of my eye (your's too, from what you've told me): my little girl, Ruby, who'll turn three later this month. You've said repeatedly, "What did we ever do before she came along?" And I agree.

And just as you and mother sacrificed to make sure your children had the best you could offer them, I feel the same about Ruby. So what am I to do when people from "The Greatest Generation" tell me they oppose modernizing Social Security and other government programs that are robbing future generations (including Ruby's) of their ability to have a decent standard of living?

Your fatherly wisdom has helped me through many, many things. Broken arms, bruised egos, a battered marriage. What advice do you have for me now?