We gave each other great joy and awful pain. We explored everything life offered us, and it offered a lot. Three children together, your family, my family, wonderful friends and charming places. I remember you in a lamp shade, dancing. You held my life story in your heart, my growth from girl to woman. In the garden of my mind and heart you grew into the man so many loved. We bent one another into new shapes, and parted. What was our married love retained its soft edge, and mellowed into a committed friendship that has lasted over 50 years. Did it become perfect? No. But it was strong as iron and steel. Thank you and forgive me for all the times I failed you. And I forgive you too. God bless you and shower you with joy and peace.