For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven:
a time to be born, and a time to die;
a time to plant, and a time to pluck up what is planted;
a time to kill, and a time to heal;
a time to break down, and a time to build up;
a time to weep, and a time to laugh;
a time to mourn, and a time to dance;
a time to throw away stones, and a time to gather stones together;
a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing;
a time to seek, and a time to lose;
a time to keep, and a time to throw away;
a time to tear, and a time to sew;
a time to keep silent, and a time to speak;
a time to love, and a time to hate;
a time for war, and a time for peace.
Ecclesiastes 3:1-8

I was thinking about those “times” as we moved closer and closer to Karen’s birthday. We shared many of them over our 40 years … and I’ve experienced so many of them over the past five years. It’s been a roller coaster of emotions — not just for me but for the entire family. There’s a sad pall over the celebration of a birthday.

Karen would be the first to say, “Enough. It’s a time to celebrate life. It’s a time to laugh and to dance.”

Karen would have turned 66 today, and I don’t think it would have bothered her a bit. It would have been a quiet celebration, probably just the two of us, the quiet punctuated periodically throughout the day with phone calls from the kids. Since it is a production day, the chances are we would have had a quick supper with a more formal celebration coming this weekend.

Over the years, birthdays came and birthdays went. I certainly would have gotten her flowers {in fact I did again this year} and a couple of birthday cards … one heartfelt and the other more whimsical. I would have gotten her a present, like perfume or earrings. I would have made arrangements to take her someplace special, like a concert or football game. And we certainly would have made plans for either a special dinner at home {cooked by yours truly} or at a better than average restaurant {plated by a professional chef}. And I would have told her a hundred times {okay, maybe not a hundred, but a lot} how much I loved her. Love, like in respect and appreciation and unfailing.

I can tell you, she hasn’t aged a day. In fact, in my mind’s eye, she has become more beautiful — if that was at all possible.

I may have forgotten to thank you when you cooked my favorite dish. And on occasion I may have come home much later than you wished. The little things you asked of me may have sometimes slipped my mind. And when it came time to fixing things, I was often hard to find. I may have been kind of grumpy when I had to have my say, and I may have sometimes failed to send nice compliments your way. But honey, though I have my faults — and many though they be — you must admit I shine when it comes to loving that terrific wife of mine!

My birthday wish for my wife … even to this day

When there’s a word you love to hear, then Love will know it.
When there is comfort to be offered, Love will show it.
When there’s a way of giving cheer, then Love will find it.
For so often when we’re happy … Love is behind us
For all the ways you showed and show your love, I Love you very much
Happy Birthday!

With all my love. For all our yesterdays … Today … and throughout Eternity.

I LOVE YOU!

THOUGHT TO REMEMBER: Sometimes silence makes the best conversation.