Birthday greetings to my beloved husband

Under strict instruction, no big party. My family tradition suggests that a poem is due, however.

One's 60th is a big event. For a man who took control of his weight, and lost 30 lbs. over the summer, how could we not honour him?!

We went out Friday to the Blue Willow Tea Shop for High Tea. (Read about it on My Muskoka!) The steamships we walked by after tea. This was where we had our wedding dinner the day we were married. All 9 of us!

By having High Tea on Wednesday, this left time on the w/e - his real birthday- for football, walking the cats, making bread and stew! (He is a catch!)

Brian, as I wrote in my book, had a special relationship with my late parents, as well. Bringing my mother a box of chocolates, and keeping her secret (cancer) safe until after our 2002 wedding. Feeding Dad in long-term care every morning for a month. Advocating for Dad when the LTC dietician didn't want Dad to have eggs every day. Notice how we all watched carefully as he cut up an apple pie his first Christmas with us all.  Imagine travelling 450 km. to Muskoka from Ottawa with 3 teenagers! This was our third date. Mom said bring him along. And I did!

 Time has passed: 

seven years (not five)

Helping larger family survive

Tragedies and trials

Along the way

Emptying those vials

“8:00 o’clock” Dad’d say.

Through wind and weather

storm and sea

Surviving all calamity

Your depth of soul

Courage and heart

My love, you know,

We’ll never part

Our lives entwined

Through sickness and health

For 60 years

You’ve shared your wealth

Deeds undeclarable

Death insurmountable

You are my love:

With joy, my life

Glad you chose me 

As your wife