Birthday of Beauty

Today is my wife's birthday. Hopefully, I have done enough (and will continue to do enough) to let her know how much I adore her. One of my greatest frustrations with narcolepsy is that it often keeps me from doting on my wife to the levels that she deserves. She is truly amazing. Beyond putting up with me, my wife manages to excel at an incredibly difficult job, to provide tremendous care to our daughter, and to maintain our household at levels that dazzle me.

I do hope that other people have been able to marry (or to be partners) with their best friend. My wife is an amazing blessing to me. She supported me throughout the awful journey that eventually led to my diagnosis, and she continued to keep my spirits up when I struggled to find the right meds. But, beyond those things, my wife provides me (and our daughter and the world) positive energy on a daily basis. She is quick to laugh and has a glorious sense of humor. She can even been childishly silly, which I love because I can too!

Yet, her magnificent intelligent regularly awes the doctors in the Department of Medicine at the University of Minnesota. My wife edits articles and grant proposals, particularly high level NIH grants. And, she is exceptional at what she does. Every physician, or other professor, who works with her raves about her talent as a writer and editor. My wife even has two published books. While multiple authors worked on the books, my wife did a vast majority of the "final" writing. The first book explored how to create a research productive department, while the second delves into effective mentoring.

The most amazing thing, though, is that my wife's great talent has nothing to do with her brilliance. Simply put, my wife is the kindest, sweetest, and most earnest person I have ever known. She goes out of her way to help others. She is also loyal to a fault. In fact, she is so loyal that she will choose honesty over self-preservation. She calls out injustice and dishonesty even when she knows that it may cost her social status. My wife exudes grace and class.

In the end, though, my wife is a person who deserves far more than the world gives her. I wish that my narcolepsy did not make it so difficult for me. I would love to shower her with gifts and affection. She deserves to be placed upon a pedestal. While I know I can't give her much, I will hold her tonight and whisper sweetly in her ear. One thing I know, simply letting my wife know how much she is appreciated will mean the world to her because she is a saint!