Charles H. Dey Jr.: an Essay on the Event of His Twenty Eighth Birthday

Charlie Dey is a man of vision. His vision was arguably first accessed and nurtured in Mrs. Unger’s art class at Delaware County Christian School. Perhaps art for art’s sake is yet in his future, but presently he has replaced the camera, canvas, sculpture and pencil sketches with furniture repair and refinishing, pantry crafting, patio building, and, Lord-willing, bed frame making. In short, Charlie’s vision adjusts with his resources. In this stage of life when time and money are rare commodities, his art finds an outlet in the everyday chores of home ownership. Our house is happily nothing like what it was when we bought it four years ago, thanks to Charlie's foresight and artistry. A visionist, however, must see life in potentials and possibilities. Perhaps I have this to thank for the many unfinished projects around the house as well as for the completed ones—a finished product no longer needs revelation after all.

Charlie Dey is an explorer. I have seldom met a man with so many interests and so much curiosity. Because life to him is full of the possible and the interesting, his has been filled with many miscellaneous experiences. Whether he is rock climbing and cliff propelling with the boy scouts, biking across state lines with the Harley crew (BMW snobs, really), traveling to Peru with missionaries, collecting theology books with his brothers-in-law, building decks with his neighbors, rebuilding engines with southern car fanatics, or debating the strengths and weaknesses of Star Trek and Star Trek: The Next Generation Charlie seems at home. His interests are as many as his friends and as diverse. Did you know that he receives an electronic Word of the Day? that he surfs the internet to find out things like how to work on the breaks of your car and what makes a good piano? that his preaching tends toward the charismatic? that he can build a dog house in a matter of hours? I didn’t either when I married him.

Charlie Dey has a deep sense of loyalty and duty. Though independent in his ambitions and hard work, he is far from being a loner. If you find yourself numbered amongst his friends, consider yourself a part of his large extended family for that is how he will treat you. I'm not sure how many times he has moved furniture from one house to another, or volunteered his truck for other similar tasks. His commitment to the Church and her service is as strong as I’ve ever seen. He takes his deaconal work very seriously, dropping everything to see to folks in need, doors that won't lock, and any number of random church concerns. But He also does what it takes to fulfill his familial responsibilities, even if it means getting up at 2 am to work a job he does not like in order to provide great insurance for himself and his wife.

In his recent role as a chaplain I have seen how all these traits have worked together to minister to the sick in body and in spirit. I have seen him able to break down walls and speak with love and authority. He is a good man, and I am so proud to call him mine.

As we are apart on his birthday, I would like to publish a few new pictures of his son for him to enjoy. I would also like to let him know that it is because I love him so much that I'm going to give him these, though they are "not at all attractive to my way of thinking." (what movie?)

A typical afternoon at the cabin.

We've noticed Bryonie is interested in all sorts of things. Charlie's not too sure about this particular interest.

But they seem to really love each other.

Nanny has turned out to be a wonderful and enthusiastic babysitter! It's such fun to see her love our son the way she does.

I took this picture this morning. Grandpa is watching him today while the girls head to town for tea.