All I have to give, this year, is my undying love for the next one...
And for all those that will follow, my best friend, wife, my shining sun...
Who loves me like you love me...who puts up with me like me...
Who, in spite of some of the toughest times we’d ever thought we’d see,
Motivates me in ways I never even knew existed!

The written word can seem contrary to our actions day-to-day...
But I find it less contradictory, than it may seem right away.
Instead it PROVES the depth and strength and worth of all we share...
How many others could tread this road...how many else would dare?
And, yet, if nothing else m’love...we’ve persisted!

And so “Thank You”, in verse, is my gift to you, but only for the nonce...
We WILL get back to the style to which we were accustomed once!
And when we do, and look back on these memories, though bittersweet...
We’ll swell with pride at the challenge met...the morbid monster beat...
And all the “runaway”, easier roads we resisted!

Had I known, up front, that it would have to have had to be this way...
For us to be together to...and beyond...our final day...
Had I known of all the hard times...all the all-too-often sting...
I’d have enlisted, yet...for the duration...’cause I don’t regret a thing...
Because bad has always been displaced as the good ably insisted!

Your FOREVER Ray ;->
(02/27/2003)

Background from Web Clip Art© 1998 - 2002. Bobbie Peachey

The wav file was me with the pitifully inadequate standard 'puter mic' exceeded only by the limitations of 'Sound Recorder'...all I still know how...but it works!?! Still need to seriously beef up my recording capabilities!!!