Sharon's Birthday

Sharon's birthday was coming up in a little more than a week and I was trying to figure out what to get her.  I had been hinting around Sharon trying to figure out what she liked and used.  I was racking my brain to try and find something really special for her.  Something that would express how I feel.  I wanted something that would touch her heart.  Even though we had only been together for a short time, there was something different about us.  Something different in the way I felt about her.  She inspired me to be better and she was so easy to love.  It was like I had been waiting all my life for her and somewhere deep inside my head, I knew she was there.  It was as though I had an outline in my mind of this person but I could never make out the face.  It wasn't until Sharon came into my life that it became clear.  It was if my life started when she entered it.  I had decided for her birthday,  I was going to take her to the Charthouse in Malibu.  I also picked out a gold cross necklace.  It was simple but elegant and it really seemed to be perfect for her.  I wanted something that special that would guard her heart.  The cross symbolized the ultimate sacrifice that was made for us.  I also found a little teddy bear that had a zipper that I could hide the necklace in.  I got her a card that took me awhile to find.  I had written some of what I felt in the card.  But it didn't seem like enough.  How do you write in a few words, what someone means to you and how quickly and completely you have fallen for them?  I started to write down some thoughts and emotions and before I knew it, I turned it into a poem.  Before Sharon, I had never written any poetry.  Maybe once in English class and that was forced.  I just felt inspired.  Sharon brought out the best in me.

“The Precious Gift of You”

Each day I thank the Lord,

For the precious gift of you.

A gift that I can never repay,

But for which I am eternally grateful.

Life’s trials and tribulations darkened my very existence,

That I never dared to look  beyond tomorrow’s promises.

Each day I come to realize,

Just how much you changed my life.

A look, a smile, one long glance,

Gave me reasons to take a chance.

With you I dare to dream,

For all tomorrows to come.

With you I know that everything is possible,

For I have been given the most precious gift of all,

The gift of love and life,

The gift of you.

Her birthday fell on a work day.  I had orchids delivered to her desk that day.  We left work early together so that we could change for our date.  I drove her to the Chart House in Malibu.  We took the drive on the coast.  We had a very nice dinner as our table was over looking the ocean.  The waiter was nice enough to take pictures of us.  After dinner I gave her the present with the card.  She opened the gift first and she saw the little bear.  I think she liked it but seemed a little puzzled.  I smiled and told her that her real gift was somewhere on that bear.  She discovered the little compartment and opened it.  She found the necklace and her smile lit up her face.  I put it on her and then she opened her card.  She smiled even more and her eyes teared up as she read her poem.  We took a walk along the beach, holding hands and just taking in the moment.