Yesterday one of my heroes turned 90 years old. That man is my dad, Julian Altrogge.
One of the reasons he’s my hero is for the way he cared for my mom. The last seven years of her life, she slowly but steadily declined with Alzheimer’s disease, until she died in 2001. Because of his love for her, he kept her at home for those last years of her life. He could have put her in a nursing home, but chose not to. It wasn’t that he couldn’t afford it. Dad kept Mom at home and cared for her because he loved her.
In the last couple of years of her life my dad changed her soiled bed sheets every single morning. He fed her. He cleaned up after her. He took her everywhere with him. I never heard him complain even once. I never saw him depressed. He served my mom cheerfully.
Why did Dad served Mom so heroically? First of all, because he loves Jesus, and he knew that whatever he did for my Mom he was doing to Jesus. Secondly, my Dad is a man of his word. In 1946, when he vowed to take Mom as his wife “for better or worse, for richer or poorer, in sickness and health, in good times and bad” he meant every word of it.
It’s been 7 years since Mom died. Dad’s still serving the Lord with all his heart as cheerfully as ever. He paints hundreds of beautiful birthday cards every year for friends, family and church members. He regularly takes Bill and Bobby (not their real names), two old mentally challenged brothers, to pick up their baskets at the local food bank. For years he paid bills for a blind woman. He delivers blood to a nearby city for the Red Cross. He leads weekly Bible Studies at a personal care home – he likes teaching “the old folks.”
Dad’s never expected any thanks or recognition for doing what does. But yesterday Bill and Bobby decided to surprise him. They wanted to take him out for breakfast on his birthday to thank him for all he’s done for them over the years. So they took him to McDonald’s – because they had a coupon.
Happy birthday, Dad. I want to be like you.
photo by Satin Marshall
{ 14 comments… read them below or add one }
We you are around JJ you see Jesus. He always has a kind word and a story about something.
Wow! Thank you for sharing about your Dad Mark, what a great picture of Christ likeness!
I remember caring for my first wife when we were going through chemo and radiation treatments, it’s so hard to watch someone you love go through suffering, as you said in your post our wedding vows aren’t multiple choice or either or, we make a promise to love our wives through thick and thin. Your Dad sounds like someone I would love to hang out with!
Thank You so much for yet another very encouraging start to my day!
Tell your Dad Happy Birthday for me!
Blessings
Ron Reffett
Oh my goodness. This almost made me cry. What a sweet story to hear! It reminds me of my grandpa (who passed away in 2001). Thank you for sharing. People like that nearly break my heart with joy, and I am so glad that you get to so closely experience such Christ-likeness :]
He is a hero to anyone who plans on staying married.
Which I most happily do. What a great man.
Dad’s selfless devotion to mom is what I admire most, too, and there are many more acts of generosity.
Every Christmas, he took us kids to Star, PA, to pick out our Christmas tree, which he proceeded to cut down with a hand saw while lying on his back in the snow.
He didn’t yell when I forgot to engage the parking brake and sent his white Bonneville sailing down the driveway and smashing into the garage.
The list goes on and on. I thank God every day for giving me such a loving Dad.
This is a really nice tribute. What a great example your father is.
Brother Mark -
I well remember meeting your Dad and, even though it was brief, it was clear he was a man of God.
Happy Birthday, Julian!
I’m crying….*sniffles* What an amazing husband! It’s guys like him who are the real knights in shining armor.
Hey Everyone,
Thanks so much for your comments. I read them all and appreciate them a lot. I’m going to copy them and give them to my dad, since he doesn’t know how to use a computer. Your comments will bless him.
Mark
Mark,
Thanks for sharing, brought tears to my eyes.
Happy birthday JJ!
What a blessing it is to have people in our lives that radiate Christ likeness through many years of sanctification.
Sara
Hey Sara!
Thanks for commenting! Yep, I’ve been blessed to watch Jesus work in Dad’s life all these years.
… Praise God.
Let me add to the chorus here – JJ has always amazed me, ever since I first met him. When I lived down the street from your parents, Mark, I used to go over there on my bike and say hello. They always had a Coke or a snack ready, and were always very welcoming.
I remember one time, when they were at our house for some event. Your Mom had Alzheimer’s at this point, and he was so gracious to her. It was encouraging to watch. I remember she kept asking how she was getting home, and JJ would keep assuring her not to worry, that she had a way to get back. At one point, she asked him how he knew she would get back home. With a smile on his face, he said “Because I’m the one who brought you!” Just watching your parents over the years, Mark, showed me how it was possible to continue as a Christian into your old age. I definitely want to be like JJ when I grow up.
tia,
Amen, Praise God!
Brando,
Thanks for sharing that story about my Dad and Mom.