There's a lid for every pot.

[Foghorn]

 

In my industry sacrifice is often equal to success. We not only give up our weekends and holidays but more often than not we give up vacations and other benefits that are sometimes taken for granted in some areas of industry. Now mine is not the only occupation that tends to be this way but the idea of my meaning should be understood, which is to say; to become and then to remain successful we strive to balance our duty and commitment not only to those we very passionately serve but also with those whom we so dearly love. It can be difficult at times but it's possible. And... eventually over time is worth every ounce of sacrifice, in both arenas.
It was on this very day nineteen years ago in fact, I woke up that morning as I did every other day and began to get myself ready for work. I showered and shaved just as I always did then got myself dressed, fed my three cats, my lizard and my turtle. I stepped outside and then locked the door behind me. Then I stopped for just a moment as I always did to light up a smoke and pop a cassette tape into my walkman to begin my two mile walk to work. I heard my phone begin to ring just as I was about to put on my headphones. Any other day I would have left it to the answering machine and been on my way. But, on this day... I took pause and went back inside to answer the phone. "Hello?" I said as I picked up the receiver from the cradle of the old fashioned style phone that hung upon my wall. 
"Hi!" I heard an unexpected but familiar and very cheerful voice reply. "Hi there." I smiled. "What are you doing today?" She asked. "Me? Um... Oh..." I stuttered. "Me... Nothing. I am doing nothing... today... at all or anything?" I rambled on in response. I closed my eyes and slapped my forehead thinking "Smooth move dummy!!!"
"Good." She said with a smile. "Can I come over?" She asked, after a short pause. 
"Yes... Yes, of course you can... come over... yes... please do." I mumbled, still feeling like a great big dork.
"Okay good!" She said, " I will see you in a bit."

I hang up the phone and quickly jump into action. I pick the phone back up and dial the number to work. "Dis, es Danny." My boss said when he answered "Ow, may I help?" 
"Danny!" I said.
"Yes? he replied.
"Danny, I can't come to work today." I told him.
"You sick? He asked me.
"No." I responded.
"You have never called off from work before. Everything okay?" He asked.
"Yes," I told him. "I just can't come in to work today,  " I said with a very serious tone.
"Well... Okay." He says "Then I will see you tomorrow."
"Thanks Danny. See you tomorrow." I said as I hung up the phone.

I Tidied up my pens and sketch books, tossed a few dishes into the sink, dumped a couple of stacks of cassettes into a milk crate. My cat Glynis looked up at me and said " Reaow?" So... I took one last survey of the apartment just as I heard her knock upon the door. My heart sank into my stomach as I reached out for the door handle to let her in.

Oh my was she beautiful. I had wished for this moment for months. I am a horrible flirt but I tried. Prior to that moment... many months she was the highlight of my day. And... on those days when I did not get to see her well it might as well have rained torrentially until I could again. ( I never told this of course ) But! Now... Suddenly here she was standing right there in front of me. I invited her in and she played her C.D.s while I cooked dinner. We sat back on my couch which used be her couch before I knew her. ?
We talked and kissed into the wee hours of the morning. Until we fell asleep in each others arms. I did not know, and she must have forgotten that her curfew was midnight. When she woke she was all in a panic. So I helped her gather her things gave her a hug and a kiss and wished her good luck as I sent her on her way. 

I was very nervous but I had to work so I returned to the ritual of my day to day. 

I went to work. Explained everything to Danny. ( He Knew. ) And went about my day. I remember the long walk home that day. It was agony. I wasn't sure what to expect when I returned home. I feared it would seem so empty with out her. I had my friends there, my music, my art. But I knew it would no longer be home without her there.

To my surprise... she was sitting there on my front porch waiting for me when I arrived... and to this day she has never left my side.

I love you baby. Happy Anniversary you are a blessing to my life and I love you more now than I did then.

~ Foghorn