The Ozark Empire Fair is winding down for the year. For our family, the fair was important for many years. It is kind of a Springfield thing. Thirty-nine years ago, my wife worked a booth at the fairgrounds with a friend of ours from church. That is not unusual. People did that and still do it all the time. The difference for Cindy was that she was pregnant.

She wasn’t in her first, second or even third trimester. She was two weeks past her due date. The following day she had a scheduled appointment at the hospital to have the birth induced. Her thinking was that if working the fair sent her into labor that night, she would not have to go to the trouble of being induced to go into labor.

It did not work. That experience working the fair began a family tradition of working at the fair for over twenty years. The sixth of August is also an important date because of that child that was born the next day. Our daughter Michelle came into the world the way most children do. Discomfort, crying, and anticipation were the order of the day with the birth of a child being the incredible culmination for all of us.

Sixteen years later, the fair was still an important part of Michelle’s life. Her birthday was spent working in concessions at the fairgrounds. Two years earlier she started working there in the summers and Cindy and I wanted to be sure her special day was celebrated. A birthday apron was made. She was pointed out to everyone as the birthday girl in that manner. A cake was decorated and taken to her at work to share with her friends.

She now has children of her own and as a schoolteacher, this is close to the end of their summer vacation. I wanted to be sure that she knows how special she  is to her mother and I and felt that calling to our memories the special times we had with her as she grew up was the best way.

Happy birthday, Michelle. Blow out the candles.

Love Mom & Dad

©Copyright 2021 by Charles Kensinger