A Wife to her Husband

 Dear Mr. Silence,

I know I’ve complained to you in the past for not speaking up – for being a man of few words.  I used to view it as an insult.  I thought you had nothing to say to me and, as a result, I felt like you lost your interest in me.  There were days, too, that I’m ashamed to admit, that I felt you were cowardly for not saying a word.  I’d get mad at you for not participating in a good argument and for not answering me when I’d ask you an impossible question.  I’m here now to thank you for your silence.  I have learned that one doesn’t have to be well versed in words to show intelligence, and one doesn’t need to speak to win an argument.  Because of you, I’ve learned that in many situations, keeping your mouth shut is more prudent than opening it.  You showed me the power and strength in silence – it caused me to hear myself and view my words from your perspective.  In your silence you’ve shown me how a simple look says a thousand words and how a loving touch, a whisper of sweetness.  Thanks to you, I’ve learned how to listen.

Dear Mr. Strength,

I used to think of strength in regards to brawn.  Oh, how I loved to watch you work and play!  How your arms would ripple and bulge when you hefted something too heavy for me to move or when you lifted your little girls in the air to play airplane.  I would marvel over the tendons and muscles that danced across your arms as you played your guitar and I’d think, "He’s my strong, sexy Rockstar.  He’s my Superman!"  I found a certain comfort in knowing you’d be able to defend me in a struggle if ever there was one.  Then one day a monster came and knocked you down and weakened your arms and leg.  It became your physical Kryptonite.  Watching you these past few years has taught me that true strength comes from within.  Set-back after set-back, fall after fall, you’ve showed a certain strength that surpasses physical limits.  You’ve taken each blow with the resilience of a professional fighter, you’ve refused to back down and give up, you’ve smiled in spite of it.  Oh, how I love to marvel over your strength of will and determination!  You’re still my sexy Superman.

Dear Mr. Goofball,

Unlike myself, who likes to act like a boisterous, crazed nut from time to time, you have a subtle humor that you keep reserved for only special occasions.    I see it come out when you play with our children or when we’re among our closest relations.  There have been many times I’ve wished you’d be more open to let others see that side of you, but, I see the value you put in keeping it hidden.  You let it out to turn our children’s frowns into smiles, and,  when I’m angry, frustrated, fed up and down-right depressed, it shines forth with such tactful agility that I can’t help but laugh in spite of myself.  

Dear Beloved Husband,

We’ve been together, through thick and thin, for more than half your life.  You are my peace, my strength, my joy and my love.  If there was anything I could give to you this day for your Birthday, I would give back to you a hundred fold what you’ve given to me.  I would be to you, a thousand-fold more, what you are to me.  As long as we’re both alive, that will be my constant ambition. I LOVE YOU!

 
((( HAPPY BIRTHDAY! )))