Happy Birthday to this dude.

Also known as Mr. Donald, Uncle Donut, the Coral Tree Cookie Man & Madeleine-maker, the Old Man of the Sea, and most importantly, my most precious dad.

I’m sure once my parents find out about yet another social media post featuring their photos, I’ll be asked to take this down! But until then, let me express how grateful I am for this kind father, protector, and provider who has been a rock for me in this life. And who makes the yummiest Boerie roll you’ve ever had.

Stable, determined, and gentle—a toughie on the outside and a softie on the inside—he undoubtedly has the best sense of humor of anyone I’ve ever met. (I’ve been passing off his original material as my own as long as I can remember.)

A man of wit and wisdom, early mornings, routine, and trees; who knows how to answer all of my annoying questions and when to develop selective hearing when needed.

He’s one of the most generous people I know. And cares so deeply for our caregivers — and all the employees in the various businesses he’s run over the years—you don’t mess with one of our caregivers unless you want to mess with my dad!

He has done payroll every Saturday morning (and now Mondays) religiously for the last 14 years because he knows how important it is for people to get paid—and that you can’t always wait 2-4 weeks for a paycheck.

In this age of robber barons, I am so incredibly grateful for a boss like my dad, who doesn’t see us as a means to fill his own coffers.

An independent thinker who never accepts “that’s just how things are or have to be,” he created businesses ultimately as a way to provide for others, including his own family.

A man who doesn’t care for material things. Who loves good food, good waves & feeding others; music, roses, the ocean; a hidden artist, scholar & meditator.

On behalf of all of us at Coral Tree, we wish this kind man who doesn’t know how to use social media a very happy 73rd birthday. Your generous, protective, stable nature continues to be such a precious gift to me and others.

Happy Birthday, Dad! We love you.