Wednesday, as everyone is well aware, will be Valentine’s Day. So I’d like to wish everybody a happy and safe holiday with your sweetheart. Tuesday the 13th will mark Jonell and my 31st year of marriage! I know I speak of her often, but my words are all I have to give. Though we still squabble if we have a difference of opinion, we always will eventually make up because of the love we have for one another. Our musical tastes are different, mostly due to our age difference. And sometimes you can drive me crazy with certain TV programs she will watch over and over. I actually think I regained my ability to roll my eyes one day when she started watching Little House on the Prarie for what must have been the 100th time! However, we love each other deeply and her sacrifice for me has been something truly amazing. I’m proud that we have remained together when we live at a time when marriage is considered disposable like everything else. Our own children had difficult times in their marriages but stuck it out when times got tough. I’d like to think we set an example for them to follow. Some of you may have noticed that I’ve often pointed out that at 63 Ihave a 14-year-old daughter. No, she wasn’t an uh-oh surprise baby. When the boys were at the age where we realized they would soon be leaving home, Jonell and I talked over and decided we didn’t want to be empty nesters. Lydia’s birth was completely planned and we playfully joke with the boys that we finally got it right with respect to having kids. She has definitely been a blessing to us. I often feel guilty about the amount of care I require. Every day is me day. Lydia gets occasional days to get away to relax and have fun, but that isn’t the case for Jonell. It would be nice if at the very least they both could occasionally escape and go shopping, take in a movie, or grab a bite to eat. Anywhere at all, they were able to forget about taking care of me, even if it’s only for a few hours. As I think I said once before, Jonell has only been away twice in the over two years since I’ve been home. Working through holidays and minor illnesses her strength never ceases to amaze me. She sets an example for anyone who will pay attention and I’m proud to have called her my wife and the mother of my children for all these years.
Happy Anniversary to you sweetheart, though we struggled at times, know that I feel so grateful that you didn’t heed the advice of your boss who told you to steer clear of having anything to do with me. I hope that I have made you at least half as happy as you have made me. Thank you for your commitment and support of me through the years. The joys have been many and the disappointments few, I pray the same has been the case for you. You are the air that I breathe, the bread that sustains me, and the light that has always guided me through the darkness. I love you.
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