Today is my precious husband's birthday and I want you all to know about this man who married me. What an incredible almost 49 years we have walked together. Some of you already know this, but for those of you who don't--he has always called me his Kitten and I have always called him my Tiger--our nicknames! When we first met back in Chicago in 1962 and had just fallen in love, the song "Misty" by Johnny Mathis, came on the radio. A phrase in the song says, "I am as helpless as a Kitten up a tree"--from then on I was his Kitten. And a Kitten always has to have a Tiger looking out for her, and that's my story and I am sticking to it.
We have had our peaks and our valleys-but I shared with someone, not too long ago, marriage is like the old timey glass bottle of fresh milk. In the very bottom the milk is thin (almost like skim milk) but the further up you go the thicker the milk gets, on to light cream and then that rich, thick cream on the very top. You have to get through the thin times to get to the rich times and I am hear to tell you, we are making delicious ice cream today with that amazing thick cream on the top. It is so worth the journey.
Now to tell you a bit about my best friend, my lover, my hand holder and my "second heartbeat". Charles is a man of integrity, honor and truth. He is a relentless seeker of the the Word of God, always listening for the "wind whispers" of the Holy Spirit. He is a self-sacrificing, incredible husband to me; a devoted, praying father to our five children and their spouses; a loving, caring grandfather to our eight grandchildren; a grateful, amazing son to his mother and dad (we had his mother's/Memo's celebration of life service yesterday-she went home to be with Jesus this past Sunday-while Popo, his dad, has been with the Lord almost 7 years now). He is also a blessed brother to his sister Nancy, who he loves dearly. And he is a true friend who will stick with you to the end of your lives-always faithful and always there. In each church that he has served as their pastor, he lead the people (the flock) into the depths of God's riches and love--always wanting the folks to "go from the shallows into the deep waters of our Lord", never settling for anything less. He is the finest teacher and preacher I have ever known. I may be prejudice, but I was/am as accountable for the Word of the Lord that he ministered as any one else in the congregation--because he has also been my pastor as well as my husband for all these years. The above picture was taken at Memo's memorial service yesterday. I could write volumes about Charles that would fill a library. But I will end this by saying, I am blessed, I am blessed, I am blessed! Happy 71st birthday to my forever Tiger.
I love you with all my heart, your Kitten
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