Just a few evenings ago, my wife once again surprised me with just a small bit of comedy. Her whole family was at our house for Christmas festivities, and we were all getting into our vehicles to go out to eat.

Now when we are with her family, all of us number to 23 persons, so it can be quite an adventure no matter what we do. Getting into our respective vehicles is at the top of the list of excitement. Inevitably, someone wants to ride in the car belonging to another family, so we take great care in counting heads to make sure that everyone is with us. We have all seen Home Alone.

We were in the process of getting into our vehicles. Everyone was accounted for except CC. She was still in the house, when CC’s sister came to me and said that I could leave since she had room for CC in another vehicle. So I did.

Just as I was leaving, CC was coming out of our home, and caught sight of the Suburban pulling away. Thinking she was being left behind, and not wanting to be left behind, she did what any grown woman would do. She ran as fast as she could in hopes that she could get my attention.

What focus! She didn’t even see the van waiting for her in our driveway. But the occupants of the van saw her, and enjoyed every stride she took. Just another family memory that we can all recall and laugh about!

I have eaten the plums that were in the icebox

and which you were probably saving for breakfast

forgive me

they were delicious

so sweet and so cold

William Carlos Williams

I teetered and tottered and mulled over in my mind just how I should start this entry to you, my lovely bride of almost 18 years. “How shall I express to her how thankful and blessed I feel to have and to hold such a Life-filled girl/lady/mom/love-of-my-life…,” I asked myself. I wanted to say in a beautiful way how much I have enjoyed the last twenty years, and how much I look forward to 20 more as the LORD gives.

We talked just today about how significant words have been to us in our life together, and I gave that some thought.

FIRST, we were given life each one through the Living Word, the Lord Jesus Christ. Even the world could not contain the books that could be written about all his loveliness, but how fulfilling it is to dwell upon Him, and try to exhaust the inexhaustable WORD. For these TWENTY years, He has led us with His sweet and powerful WORD.

Secondly, our relationship grew and was nurtured by many letters written back and forth when nearness was impossible. How much like the sweet smell of a rose were those letters received when distance was an obstacle.

Thirdly, I remember a time when your love of corniness and word play was not a love I shared. And now…I think I’ve been led captive.

Fourthly, how many t-shirts have we penned in our minds in those late-night weird-mooded laughing fests? I hoped that those nights/mornings would never end. We may never actually make a penny on any of those ideas, but it’s been so fun thinking up the next great shirt!

Fifthly, our poetry to one another has been sweet. HOWEVER…I think you owe me one. A really long, juicy, poem, that brings a single tear to my eye – “if that’s possible,” I hear you saying it now.

And what about this new version of our card ceremony – now electronic?

I know I could go on and on, but I should get to the punch line.

I chose a poem – this poem – because of how much I love you, and of how much I love William Carlos Williams’ poetry, and of how much it communicates a secret we have held together in these many years. The secret is forgiveness. This is not the only secret, I know, but how amazingly important this secret has been to us!

There have been times when we accidentally hurt one another. And there have been times when we (I’m sorry to say) have purposely hurt one another. Now, here we stand together, because of God’s grace and forgiveness. I publicly confess – apart from salvation through Jesus Christ, I rifle through my mind and memories to find only you as the single-most significant thing that has ever overtaken me.

And you have overtaken me with your kindness, and with your love, and with your selflessness, and with your forgiveness. What shall I say, other than, “Thank you!” Thank you for twenty love-filled years and your promise to stand by me no matter what may come. You have blessed me, and I thank you.

Your husband – bc

She mows! That’s right. She is always offering to help me mow the lawn. I rarely take her up on the offer, since I really enjoy the job. But today I did ask her to mow the back yard. She did a great job, and gave me a break. This helps me out, since I have a lawn business and cut many yards each month.

I am so blessed to have such a wife!

Another Edition of “Things I Like About My Wife”

At my recent reunion, we had some time at the Oak Meadow pool. It was quite enjoyable to visit with some of the old gang.

But one of the greatest highlights was seeing my wife (the Olympic hopeful) in fine classic form. While I was not quite gutsy enough to try “the gainer” (due to the back problem), CC had no problem showing her diving prowess to all the onlookers.

We were quite amused!

I am thankful to have such a spunky partner.

I am privileged to say that I have been married for 17 (almost 18) years to CC. We have shared many joys and a good share of sorrows. The LORD has blessed us unbelievably.

It is good for me to constantly be looking for things that I appreciate about her. There are so many, but one of them in particular made an impression upon me yesterday. She gave me a haircut.

Now this is nothing new for us. She is more often than not the hair stylist for the whole family. It is a messy job, and, in many cases dreaded by all involved (our boys despise the experience). I am so thankful that CC is willing to endure to save some money. With eight of us, haircuts could add up to a small fortune each month.

Yesterday was one of those days that was special. I am still waking up each morning thanking the LORD that I am no longer involved in the the “program”, and I am very happy to have these remaining days of summer. So I guess I’m a bit more relaxed than usual. This is what set up the great hair-cutting experience.

I remember the relaxation of having my hair cut at an old fashioned barber shop as a child. It seemed that I could have fallen asleep in the chair.

Yesterday was a flash back to that same experience. CC cut my hair on the back porch just as a cool front was coming through, so the weather was perfect. I may have dozed off a couple of times. I have not been that relaxed in many days. It was a much welcomed time of rest. I am so thankful to be married to such a uniquely selfless woman.

I will close with an anecdote that has stayed with me for several years.

In 2003, Paige was being treated for cancer, and was given the opportunity to participate in the Make-A-Wish program. She chose to go to South Dakota to see some places where Laura Ingalls Wilder lived.

While there, we were allowed to take a wagon ride much like Laura might have experienced (except our wagon had automobile wheels). The man steering the wagon was a man of about 65 years of age. As I talked with him, I discovered that he had about 10 children ( I forget the exact amount). I made some comment about how selfless his wife must be to have birthed that many children. His answer is the part that impacted me the most. His eyes seemed to look off in the distance like he was somewhere else, and he said, “She’s a treasure!”

I hope to foster this same kind of appreciation for my wife because she is a treasure to me.