Happy Birthday Honey

Yesterday was my hubby's special day...yes, we have one special day after another for days on end during January and February! (July, October and December too!!)

In thinking of how to honor my husband on my blog so many things have crossed my mind. Oh I need not tell you how much I love him, as long as he knows that is all that matters. I need not tell you why I love him, again...what is really important is that he knows and understands. But I can share a few things with you that have only made me love and appreciate him more each day we share together:

Early in our marriage I was bedridden with the pregnancy of our first child. Dr gave strict strict instructions..."if you want to get out of the hospital you MUST stay in bed." Ok, sure, just let me out of here....this gentle man that I married busyed himself in the kitchen a few days later working at something that I couldn't figure out. He was gathering the things he needed in order to wash my hair! Dr said NO GETTING OUT OF BED, NO SHOWERING, NO STANDING AT ALL. Hubby knew my hair was driving me crazy and gently washed and rinsed it for me.

In 1998 our youngest son (age 16) and I went to Los Angeles for almost the entire month of December because he needed some major surgery and medical treatment. We left early in the month but did not return home until just days before Christmas. As we stepped off the plane the airport terminal was filled with well wishers holding signs, carrying balloons, and celebrating our sons successful surgery and return home. (I kid you not...there was not room for even one more person in that little airport terminal, I kinda felt sorry for the other passengers who had to really hunt to find those who were there to meet them!!!) . I am shedding tears just remembering the applause, the "hip hip hoorays", the laughter and all the faces. Hubby had called our sons boss, his pals from school, teachers, Doctors...it was unbelievable. But that wasn't all. He had arranged special transportation from the airport home...good friends who took care of the details of getting all our baggage, and the equipment we needed back to our home. THEN...when we arrived home our house was ablaze with lights...hubby had spent the month working on getting all the Christmas lights on the house and it looked so welcoming...but that wasn't all...as we walked in the front door there was a tree up and decorated, stockings were hung, Christmas music playing. He wanted Ryan and I to have the best welcome home we could...boy he nailed that one!

When we took our oldest son to college in Seattle, a 10 hr drive North, it was one of the most devastating days of my life. I was heartsick for weeks before his final days at home. Hubby would hold me and reassure me this was a good thing. This is what Roy had dreamed of. This is the right thing. We live in a teeny tiny town, a logging community. Few opportunities are available for those who do not leave the area. You can either go to work in the plywood mill, or log, or get on one of the fishing boats. We wanted our boys to have more choices, and an education would provide for that. I knew he needed to go-I knew he was ready to go-but I wasn't ready for him to leave. Hubby was patient and gentle with me as I struggled deeply. About 5 hrs after we had unpacked the van, said our good-byes and "see-you-laters" and were driving home, hubby changed...their was no more patience, there was no more gentleness. It was time for me to buck up and move on...and he told me so! He reminded me of all the hopes and dreams we had for our boys, and all the hopes and dreams they had for themselves (and each other). He reminded me that we raised our boys to be strong, to love Jesus and to be an asset to the world. He reminded me that this was the day we had looked forward to and planned for, for years!! He also reminded me that we had 2 more years with our youngest son at home, and we were looking forward to having a spare room, etc etc etc. Sometimes love is gentle sometimes love is patient...but sometimes love is tough. He knew just when to kick me where I needed it....and I will always thank him for that. The apron strings needed to be cut, the heart strings are a different issue.

My dear hubby was present when all 3 of our children were born. Our first angel was delivered a couple of days after I no longer felt movement and the doctor could no longer find a heartbeat, or any sign of life. We were almost 6 months into the pregnancy at the time. We had been married for only 10 months. It tore us up. It also brought us together like nother else could. The birth of that precious angel, the time we spent healing, the way we learned to love each other in challenging ways will always be one of the reasons I love my husband more than I could explain.

When our son Roy was born 2 years later hubby was right there with me again. After the still birth of our first baby we were very anxious to hold this gift from God. Had I entered him into a Father of the Year contest, I am sure Ed would have won hands down! He wanted this child in his arms so bad. Even when they took me in for an emergency C-section he stayed with me. I will never forget his conversation with the Dr. "No, I am fine, this isn't bothering me, it is just like gutting a deer." He watched the whole thing...and then leaned over and kissed my forehead..."Sweetheart, we have a son," he cried as they laid this bundle wrapped in blue in his arms. The first time he held our granddaughter, Madelyn...those tears were once again falling...a grandfather had been born. I thought that it was those "firsts" that did it to him...but one year later when he held our grandson...yep, you got it, he cried like a baby again!

When our son Ryan was born, exactly 2 years and one day after Roy, by planned c-section, hubby was with me once more. Knowing this was to be our last child we had prayed for another son, we were willing to take what God had choosen for us, but we really wanted another son. As Ryan was being delivered the operating room grew very quiet. I could sense the tension but had no way of knowing what was going on. Ed was rushed out of the room and I was sedated. Later I learned that Ryan was not healthy, he had been rushed to surgery and then to NICU. I wanted to talk to Ed, I wanted to be near him during this time of confusion. I did not see Ed for hours. He was sitting in a rocking chair next to an empty space where Ryan's incubator was expected to arrive. Ed waited for hours and would not leave that chair because he did not want to miss seeing his son, he wanted to touch him even if he could not hold him. When I was released from the hospital Ed would get up 2 hrs early (he was a baker and had to be at work at 3 a.m.) and drive to the hospital to see Ryan before going to work and then would stop by the hospital on his way home after work...this went on for 3 months when we finally were able to bring him home. If hubby could have, he would have taken a leave of absense to be with Ryan. Ryan is 24 now...and each time Ryan is not feeling well Ed becomes really quiet and I know he is praying non-stop for his son.

Husband, father, grandpa... gentle, caring, safe...supportive, encouraging, strong.

Like his father, he starts his day off alone with his Lord. My kids grew up seeing their daddy read his Bible and pray each day. What better way to teach a child what life is all about?

Saint? No, just a regular Joe he would say. Well, I would beg to differ.

He had a singing telegram sent to me on Valentines Day one year.

While working at my last job he would be sure there were Birthday flowers and Anniversary flowers on my desk before I arrived in the morning (he worked there too and had a key to my office).

He has been known to venture into quilt shops and bring me home a special treat.

The very first wedding cake he decorated was ours!

Our roles are reversed now, he is no longer able to work outside the house, so he has become a househusband of sorts. He does the shopping, cooking, most of the cleaning and he does all with a willing heart. He doesn't do these things for himself, he does them for US.

He does the shopping at night so that I can have an evening "home alone". I treasure time alone, but that is next to impossible now that he has retired. He graciously gives me time alone. That is such a blessing.

Our oldest grandkids live near us. Seldom is there a baseball, football, soccer, basketball or volleyball game that goes on in this town without Grandpa nearby. He is the middle man when all 3 kids have a function at the same time.

He proudly carries the title "Uno King" and the grandkids are always trying to best him and claim the title for themselves, so far it hasn't happened but the laughter and conversations that take place while the game is being played cannot be bought, it is priceless.

He is the waterfight instigator, he is the BBQ Grillmaster.

He is the love of my life forever and always!
You and Me, Babe!