The Other Love Chapter

On Sunday, as I listened to my husband’s sermon on John 13, it spoke to me. I have to confess that I enjoy Tom’s sermons because he speaks to my heart.

Most people consider 1 Corinthians 13 to be the love chapter in the bible. Then I would have to say that John 13 is the other love chapter. 1 Corinthians describes love: Love patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails. 

I feel that John 13 demonstrates love through Jesus’ actions. This was his last night with his closest friends and what he did first was wash all their feet (even the feet of Judas who would betray him and Peter who would deny him). He didn’t kick them out or displayed anger. He loved them.

Jesus said in verses 34- 35: A new command I give you: love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this, everyone will know that you are my disciples if you love one another. Jesus spoke to his disciples in a very profound way because in the Hebrew mindset to say “a new command I give you,” Jesus could have easily said Commandant #11.

This touched me. It’s better to love than to be right. How does it feel to be wrong? It feels like being right. When you discover your wrong is different because then you may feel embarrassed or sorry for your wrongness. Maturity is an ongoing process until the day I meet my maker. I learn things as I mature. I discover that I can be wrong and my opinions may change. So if being right comes at the price of love then the price is too high.

Sometimes God brings people in my life to help me practice love and sometimes He brings me into theirs to help them practice. I have a theory that can’t be proven and it’s my own opinion, but here it goes: I feel that if I can’t love someone here on earth that God will put us in the same section of heaven until eternity. So I try not to take any chances with people that annoy me. J

There was so much richness in Tom’s sermon on John 13 (give in three parts). Most of the above was inspired by his message. If you want to check it out, you can here. 

© Nadine and Tom Zawacki 2015

The First Time I Heard . . .

I watched an episode of How I Met Your Mother that triggered a pleasant memory. Marshall and Lilly just got married and stopped to get something to eat at a hamburger joint. Through funny sitcom circumstances beyond their control, they didn’t have anything to eat at their fancy wedding. The guy behind the counter said, “Hey dude your wife just barfed in the garbage can.” She had too much champagne. A pleasant smile crossed Marshall’s face.

I know what you’re thinking but no I didn’t vomit after my wedding because I got drunk. Granted I was only nineteen when we got married so technically that sip of champagne I had during the toast was illegal. Shhhh . . . don’t tell anyone.

The pleasant memory it sparked was the first time I heard myself being referred to as Tom’s wife. We were together for over three and half years before we said, “I do.” I was used to being called, “Tom’s girlfriend” and then “Tom’s fiancé.” This was different. This was special. 

On the way to the honeymoon, I needed to make a pit stop. There was no place to stop, so Tom stopped at an office building off the highway. Tom asked the man behind the counter if his wife could use the restroom. When he said the word ‘wife’, something inside of me felt complete. That same smile I had seen on Marshall’s face appeared on mine. It made me almost forget why we stopped in the first place. 

It’s almost thirty-two years and it still doesn’t get old. I love when he introduces me. He adds now that I’m his better half. I disagree with that. He’s my better half. Together we have grown into better people because of the other person. He’s helped me be nicer and I’ve helped him to be funny. 

© Nadine Zawacki 2013

Time of My Life

On June 7th Tom and I celebrated our 30th wedding anniversary. I can’t believe 30 years have passed since I first said, “I do.” I appreciate the man he has become. He’s kind, considerate, loving, and faithful. I’m grateful he’s mine.

For weeks, no – months Tom tried to figure out something nice for us to do for our anniversary. Everyday he would search online to see if there were any deals. It was so important for him to make me feel special. The funny thing is I feel special whenever I’m around him. He constantly tells me how much he loves me – how else could I feel?

We went on a cruise that he booked on June 1st that set sailed on June 5th. The best part for me was being with Tom. We danced on our anniversary as Tom sang to me. I believe dancing to “I Had the Time of My Life” was so appropriate for us. The past 30 years has been anything but boring. It’s been quite the adventure.

Thank you honey for the time of my life and for loving me for over 30 years. My only prayer is that we get at least another 30 years.

More on the cruise in my next post.

© Nadine Zawacki 2011

Maybe We Should Have Done This On Our 5th Anniversary?

Today Tom and I celebrated our 29th wedding anniversary. My wonderful husband suggested we go to Montauk Point Lighthouse and have a picnic. How romantic is that?

It was an absolutely beautiful day. The weather was perfect. The Lighthouse has a museum that displayed interesting facts about the first Lighthouse commissioned by President George Washington in New York. Below are some pictures of the museum.
The Lighthouse @ 1796The Lighthouse @ 1860
The Lighthouse @ 1945 until present

Previous light.The Lighthouse itself has 137 steps to the top. Below are pictures of these stairs.
I didn’t let my bad knees deter me from getting to the top. I took one step at a time and rested when I could. After a while my pocketbook felt like it weighed 100 pounds. My very sweet, handsome husband could tell I was struggling and carried my pocketbook for me all the way to the top. He’s such a stud.

While eating our picnic lunch, I commented to Tom, “Maybe we should have done this on our 5th anniversary when we were young and had healthy legs.” We had a good laugh.

Enjoy the pictures. It was a great day. Thank you handsome for planning this wonderful day.


The view from the top of the lighthouse.
© Nadine Zawacki 2010

Tips for a Healthy Marriage

Today I had the privilege of teaching with Tom. He’s been teaching on relationships on Sundays. Since he was going to speak about marriage, he asked me to do it with him. I had fun working with Tom. Thank you honey for sharing your pulpit.

If you want to check it out just go to our church website HERE. Click on SERMON. It’s titled Relationships 3 – Tips for a Healthy Marriage.

© Nadine Zawacki 2010

Facebook Flirting

Tom and I are not the only couple that flirt on Facebook. I know it may seem that way, because we do it so often. Why flirt on Facebook, especially when you’re living in the same house? Because it’s fun. I love him and I don’t care who knows it. Sometimes I just like reminding him in writing that he’s the one for me. It brings a smile to my face and my heart jumps a beat when I read his proclamations of love.

I’m a firm believer in expressing your love for your spouse. Just because the “honeymoon” is over the passion, fun, and excitement shouldn’t be. A honeymoon is defined as the traditional holiday taken by newlyweds to celebrate their marriage in intimacy and seclusion. No one said that intimacy should be over when the “honeymoon” is.

When we got married, I stood in front of God, our family and friends and proclaimed my love for Tom. Facebook is just an extension of that for me. In this day of electronic communication why not use it to express yourself. People do that with blogs, Facebook, Twitter, etc. all the time. When we were dating Tom would write me these beautiful love letters, now he leaves me little notes on Facebook. He still gives me romantic cards and notes, but Facebook has become part of his expression of love for me.

I don’t mind expressing my love for Tom on Facebook. It’s not the only way that I express my love, just one of them.

So if you have a Facebook account, try a little flirting with the one you love.

© Nadine Zawacki 2010

Everyday's a Gift

Today I celebrate 32 years of being with Tom. It's not our wedding anniversary but the anniversary of when we started dating. I wrote about it here and here. I love telling the story about how we met in the fruit and vegetable store. I was so young and he was so cute.

I remember Tom telling me how much he loved me right away. At 16, it wasn't easy for me to say "I love you" back, but when I did I meant it. I'm so blessed God allowed me to meet the man I was going to marry at such a young age. I'm blessed that I didn't have to kiss many frogs to get my prince. My prince was delivered to my neighborhood between the peas and coconuts. He looked like a prince so it wasn't hard to pick him out of a crowd.

Being together for 32 years is a blessing. Everyday is a gift. I treasure my time with Tom. I love spending time with him. I love ministering with him. I love traveling with him. I love sharing life with him.

In some ways 32 years is a long time and in others it feels like only the beginning. I love you Tom and I will always remain,

Forever Yours,
Nadine

(The picture above was taken 32 years ago on February 19, 1978 by my brother-in-law)

Will You Marry Me?

Thirty years ago today this very handsome man got down on his knee, took my hand and kissed it. His smile lit up the entire room and my heart missed a beat. With his eyes filled with love, he looked at me and I knew my world was about to change. He said to me, "With all my heart I love you. I want to spend the rest of it with you. Will you marry me?"

Some wait a long time to hear those words, but I was only eighteen years old. Why God chose to bless me at such a young age, I don't know. I'm just grateful He did. This I'm sure of - He chose Tom for me.

I’m glad I was listening when God was talking all those years ago. No one is more perfect for me than Tom. When he looks at me, my heart still misses a beat and I melt in his arms.

Knowing what I know today and if I could go back in time I would still say yes to that question asked of me so many years ago. I love you Tom.

© Nadine Zawacki 2009

Picture: our engagement party, December 8, 1979.

I Want to Know What Love Is

Last week my hubby was away at a conference. Every night there was some activity or another to keep me busy. I taught a class on dreams one night and ran the book club another. I had a couple of young gals come over for a movie and the ladies from our church went to pizza and a movie. One of the ladies called me for a mani/pedi and lunch. The week seemed to go very slowly even with all that activity.

Tom is home now and I’m glad to have him back. We did lots of Facebook flirting while he was gone as well as talk on the phone. If you are on Facebook with your husband, I highly recommend Facebook flirting. We wrote messages to each other and how much we missed each other. He even posted a love song on his page. I love him. I don’t mind telling the whole world.

Love after 31 years together gets stronger. I can honestly say I’m more in love with him now than I ever was. We are often mistaken for newlyweds when we are out. I think it’s the way we stare in each other’s eyes. When I want to know what love is, I look in Tom’s eyes. Not only do I see his love for me, but I see his love for God. It’s that love that gets us through the tough days and makes the good days great. It’s that love that grows and becomes stronger.

I hope you enjoy this video by Mariah Carey and the song Tom dedicated to me last week. Here’s the thing about this song – you can easily sing it to God as well as a loved one.

© Nadine Zawacki 2009

Celebrating Love

Tom has been preaching about “Living Love.” These messages have been excellent. If you’re interested you can check it out at our church’s new website under the sermon tab.

Today, I celebrate love – my love for him and his for me. Twenty eighty years ago today we got married. It was the happiest day of my life. The week prior was spent in last minute preparations and butterflies flittering around in my stomach. On my wedding day all of that was gone and I woke up calm as could be. I was ready. I was only nineteen years old, but I was ready to be Tom’s wife and start our lives together. I knew even then that it was just a day that would go very quickly and would be over before I knew it.

I was thirty minutes late because of the photographer. Poor Tom thought my dad convinced me to call the whole thing off. I remember arriving at the church. I peeked in from the back and saw Tom pacing. He was the most handsome man I’ve ever seen. With each step I knew I was one step closer to being his wife. My heart was at peace and it was filled with love.

Twenty eight years later, I can honestly say he’s still the most handsome man I’ve ever seen. My heart is filled with love and I’m proud to be his wife. I love him more with each passing day. Even though we went through tough times, we made it through together. Tom is my best friend. I could not have asked for a better father for my children.

Tom Zawacki, I love you. You’re a good man and I’m honored to be your wife. Know that I will always remain,

Forever Yours,
Nadine

© Nadine Zawacki 2009

Happy Birthday Tom

Today is Tom’s Birthday.

Every year I post about his birthday and how much I love him. Every year on his birthday, I make a special meal (this year it’s eggplant parmesan) and bake his favorite cake (vanilla with pudding and vanilla icing).

Anyone who knows me, knows how I feel about Tom. I think it’s important to tell the people you love that you love them. I try to show or tell Tom how much I love him every day. On his birthday, I try to kick it up a notch.

Tom, I appreciate you. I appreciate the man of God that you are. I love the way that you love me. I love your smile – it lights up my world. Your arms can both comfort me and make me feel safe. I love how you know what I’m thinking without saying a word.

I’m grateful that our adult children still look to you for wisdom. You’ve been a wonderful dad.

I watched for the last 31 years your ability to be a good and faithful friend, not only to me but to so many others. I love your zeal for helping others reach their destines.

You’re a good man and I thank God for picking you for me. You are my better half. Just in case you have any doubt in your mind – I love you. Happy Birthday, babe.

Forever Yours,
Nadine

© Nadine Zawacki 2009

Dating Anniversary

The nice thing about being together for thirty one years is that you know each other very well. Today, Tom and I celebrate the day we first started dating. I was only sixteen years old and he was eighteen. We celebrate this anniversary every year. It’s dear to us because we were together for three and half years before getting married. I guess we are hopeless romantics.

After so many years together, I can almost read Tom’s mind. It amazes him whenever it happens and vice versa. That is what years of being together does to you. It makes you comfortable with one another. A look or a smile communicates so much without a word being spoken.

Tom is my best friend. I love him dearly. Our love has carried us through and will continue to bring us closer as walk through the ups and downs of life. Thank you handsome for loving me for the past thirty one years.

© Nadine Zawacki 2009

This is why I love him. Check out Tom's blog today. Click here

Hope

As I sit here with Tom during his third of six treatments, I’m fully aware of how much chemo stinks (there are better words to describe it, but this a G-rated blog). I can’t believe we are going through this again. I hold firm to my faith that God will heal him because that’s the only way he will never have to do this again.

When Tom was first diagnosed with cancer, he gave me a bracelet that has the word, “Hope” on it. That one broke, but I have another one. I’ve worn it everyday since. My name means hope. I also hold on to the hope that God will bring healing to Tom.

Since we have been here, I’ve not been able to find work. I briefly worked as virtual assistant. The lady quit a couple of her jobs and didn’t need an assistant any more. I’ve not understood why I can’t find work. I know God knows we need the money, but the only blessing has been that I’ve been able to sit with Tom during treatment. The last time I had a full time job and I couldn’t always be with him. That broke my heart. We don’t really know too many people here, so it’s been a blessing to Tom for me to be with him.

My heart aches to watch him sit there with these drugs going through his veins. They make him sick and tired. I feel helpless. The only thing I can do is pray.

Tom always says to enjoy the good days, endure the bad and keep moving forward. So that is what we do. There are days he feels great and then all of sudden it hits him. Chemo stinks, but God is bigger than any cancer. Cancer begins with a little “c” and God always begins with a big “G.”

Thank you for all your prayers. It is greatly appreciated.

© Nadine Zawacki 2009

What Does Love Mean?

My hubby found this in his email and shared it with me. I’m not sure who did this study. If anyone out there has seen this before and knows who to give credit to, let me know.

A group of professional people posed this question to a group of four to eight year olds - "What does love mean?" The answers they got were broader and deeper than anyone could have imagined. See what you think:

"When my grandmother got arthritis, she couldn't bend over and paint her toenails anymore. So my grandfather does it for her all the time, even when his hands got arthritis too. That's love." Rebecca- age 8

"When someone loves you, the way they say your name is different. You just know that your name is safe in their mouth." Billy - age 4

"Love is when a girl puts on perfume and a boy puts on shaving cologne and they go out and smell each other." Karl - age 5

"Love is when you go out to eat and give somebody most of your French fries without making them give you any of theirs." Chrissy - age 6

"Love is what makes you smile when you're tired." Terri - age 4

"Love is when my mommy makes coffee for my daddy and she takes a sip before giving it to him, to make sure the taste is OK." Danny - age 7

"Love is when you kiss all the time. Then when you get tired of kissing, you still want to be together and you talk more. My Mommy and Daddy are like that. They look gross when they kiss." Emily - age 8

"Love is what's in the room with you at Christmas if you stop opening presents and listen." Bobby - age 7

"If you want to learn to love better, you should start with a friend who you hate."
Nikka - age 6

"Love is when you tell a guy you like his shirt, then he wears it… everyday."
Noelle - age 7

"Love is like a little old woman and a little old man who are still friends even after they know each other so well."
Tommy - age 6

"During my piano recital, I was on a stage and I was scared. I looked at all the people watching me and saw my daddy waving and smiling. He was the only one doing that. I wasn't scared anymore." Cindy - age 8

"My mommy loves me more than anybody. You don't see anyone else kissing me to sleep at night." Claire - age 6

"Love is when Mommy gives Daddy the best piece of chicken." Elaine - age 5

"Love is when Mommy sees Daddy smelly and sweaty and still says he is handsomer than Robert Redford." Chris - age 7

"Love is when your puppy licks your face even after you left him alone all day." Mary Ann - age 4

"I know my older sister loves me because she gives me all her old clothes and has to go out and buy new ones." Lauren - age 4

"When you love somebody, your eyelashes go up and down and little stars come out of you." Karen - age 7

"Love is when Mommy sees Daddy on the toilet and she doesn't think it's gross."
Mark - age 6

"You really shouldn't say 'I love you' unless you mean it. But if you mean it, you should say it a lot. People forget."
Jessica - age 8

And the final one - author and lecturer Leo Buscaglia once talked about a contest he was asked to judge. The purpose of the contest was to find the most caring child. The winner was a four year old child whose next door neighbor was an elderly gentleman who had recently lost his wife. Upon seeing the man cry, the little boy went into the old gentleman's yard, climbed onto his lap, and just sat there. When his Mother asked what he had said to the neighbor, the little boy said, "Nothing, I just helped him cry."

Blessings,
Nadine

Will You Marry Me?

I’ve blogged about this before, but I wanted to give more detail today. “Will you marry me?” That’s a question lots of young women want to hear. I didn’t think I would hear it at sixteen.

It all started with Tom telling me he loved after only about a month of being together. The conversations that follow would sound like this:

Tom: “I love you.”
Me: “I like you very much.”

I didn’t want to say, “I love you” if I wasn’t sure, right? What did I know about love, I was only sixteen. After I did tell him I loved him, our conversations that follow would sound like this:

Tom: “I love Nadine. Will you marry me?”
Me: “I love you too, but no.”

I wasn’t trying to be cruel or lead him on or make him chase after me. I loved him, but marriage was a big step. After I turned seventeen that question got asked more frequently (daily to be exact). One day he asked and I looked into those beautiful brown eyes and knew, yes I wanted to marry him.

At first he thought I was putting him on, but when he realized I meant it, we hugged and kissed. Now he had to ask DADDY. That part wasn’t easy. You see Tom wanted to give me the ring for my eighteenth birthday and I just graduated high school. My dad eventually gave in, but agreed to an engagement in December. That was twenty nine years ago today.

I had picked out the ring I wanted. It had the cutest little diamond in it. Tom didn’t know anything about diamonds and so my sister volunteered to take him to the diamond district in the city. Boy did she get a great deal on my ring and a bigger diamond than I was expecting. I didn’t get to see the ring until the night of the engagement party.

We slipped away to another room. Tom got down on his knee. He took my hand and asked me the question he’d asked a million times before, “Will you marry me?” Without hesitation I said, “Yes.” He took out this clear jewelry box and opened it up and slipped the ring on my finger. I had tears in my eyes. I knew at that moment no matter what life would bring us; this man would love me and honor me through it all. I was right. God gave me a precious gift that day which lead to two other precious gifts (Lisa & Tommy). You’re a good man Tom, a loving husband and father and a great friend not only to me but to so many others.

© Nadine Zawacki 2008

The picture above of Tom is when he was eighteen. The year we started dating.

The First Kiss

I’ve written about The First Sparks and now I’ll like to examine The First Kiss. I hope that some of you will join me. Post the very first time you and your husband/boyfriend kissed or maybe you would like to describe your very first kiss. Let me know if you participate so I can come by and read all about it.

The first kiss is very special. Maybe it was just like the movies. You approach each other, breathing heavy and slightly apprehensive. You close your eyes and suddenly your lips brush against each other slightly, passionately. You feel like a fireworks is going off around you. You have now met your soul mate – the person you will spend the rest of your life with. Sweet.

Then again, that may not have been your experience.

As you all know I started dating Tom when I was sixteen years old. After I asked him out (read about it here and here). He came to my sister’s house for dinner. It seemed everyone (my brother, his wife, my 2 year niece were also there) kept leaving us alone in a room - nice, right. Her apartment wasn't that big. So we found ourselves on the couch in the family room – alone. I sat close to him. He looked into my eyes and I looked in his. His face approached mine and I knew at that moment we were about to kiss.

He was so cute and the moment so right, so I leaned closer and closed my eyes. I could feel our lips approaching and his breath on my face. Then suddenly all I felt was . . . teeth. That’s right teeth. The boy had no lips. I totally slipped by his lips and hit teeth. Shocked, I opened my eyes and he was staring at me. Tom would tell you at that moment he felt like he was being sucked into a vacuum. I guess it’s all about your point of view and whether you have a firm grasp on reality and truth. We didn't give up - if at first you don't succeed, right? We closed our eyes and made some minor adjustments and then . . . magic. The rest they say is history.

© Nadine Z. 2008

How Does Your Garden Grow?

Saturday, June 7, 2008 will mark our 27^th wedding anniversary. Sometimes it feels as if it were only yesterday that we were planning are our wedding. Today, I look back and appreciate all the blessings God has placed in our lives. Tom is in remission, we have two adult children and I love him more today than I did the day we wed.

I tell young couples that are getting married that the honeymoon never has to end. The truth is reality sets in and responsibility is a part of adult life, but the honeymoon – the feelings of love and passion grows with time.

I may not be a great gardener, but I know this much it takes work to make your garden bloom. It doesn’t just happen. You have to mow the lawn or you appear to live in a jungle. You do have to water your plants so that they can grow and not die. The result can be a thing of beauty.

How much more effort should you put into your marriage to make it bloom. I often talk about Tom on this blog and how much I love him. He’s a good man, a good father and a good friend and that’s just to me personally. He loves me and shows it by his actions (just this week he baked me a chocolate caramel cake for no particular reason at all, just because he loves me).

Marriage is both parties giving 100% or more of themselves. One thing I’ve found is that our children grow up and leave, as well as it should be. It’s important to spend time together especially as the children are growing up. I’m a firm believer on going on dates even if it’s on the couch watching a DVD after the kids are in bed. I’m so grateful our families were close by when my kids were younger – sleepovers at least once a month was not only great for them but for us.

This Saturday I celebrate love. I celebrate marrying my high school sweetheart and the love of my life. I celebrate being married to my best friend and my biggest supporter. I celebrate you Tom. I love you with my whole heart. Thank you for being there for me in good time and bad, in sickness and in health, for richer and for poorer, until death do us part.

Know that I will remain –

Forever Yours,

Nadine

© 2008

First Sparks

I was visiting Pinks & Blues Girls Blog today and Sharon posted a story about the first time she laid eyes on her husband. She invited anyone who wanted to participate to post their “first sparks” story. I thought I would play along.

Most of you know how Tom and I got together over thirty years ago, but I never posted about the first time I laid my eyes on him. That happened about thirty one years ago.

My girlfriend, Juliana and I were going to the fruit and vegetable store for my mom. The store was crowded this fine Saturday morning. We were looking at the fruit and just giggling like girls do. I was only fifteen at the time. Suddenly, I heard a voice say, “Excuse me, excuse me.” I turned, looked, and seen the finest specimen of man I’ve ever laid my eyes on. He had blond, wavy hair, beautiful, soft eyes, and nice fitting jeans. He was carrying a very large sack of something on one shoulder and it seemed effortless to him. I checked him out completely and was very pleased at what I saw.

After he passed by, I looked at my girlfriend and we both smiled. (I should interject here that we had a habit of ranking guys on a scale of one to ten. We would just look at each other and say a number.) All I could say at this point was, “Fifty.” That meant he was way off the charts. She concurred. I said, “Wow, he looks good coming and going.” This day sparked a series of flirtatious events and the rest they say is history.

So that was my “first sparks” story, what was yours?

If you want to play along follow the link above to Pinks & Blues Girls Blog and sign up on Mr. Linky. Please let me know if you decide to participate. I would love to read all of your stories.

Have a great weekend.

© Nadine Z. 2008

Happy Birthday Babe

Today, forty-eight years ago a miracle happened. What miracle was that? My amazing hubby was born. His parents were young, but they brought him up right. His mom really knew how to love. She taught him many things - among them, respect, love and how to be a gentleman. His dad modeled how to love your wife and daughter. I have to say he’s improved on those things he learned from them.

He’s a great husband. He loves me. He honors me. He respects me. He protects me. He adores me. He’s passionate towards me. He encourages me. He romances me. He’s the shoulder I cry on and the arms I celebrate in. He believes in me. He makes me great dinners. He makes time for me. He makes me laugh. He fills my heart. He’s perfect for me.

He’s a great father. He loves our children. He modeled for them what a husband and father should be. I know they will improve on that. Our daughter wants to marry a man that will love her the way her father loves her mother. That’s an awesome compliment from a twenty four year old. Our son is strong and independent like his dad. Both of our children are reaching for their dreams, because he encouraged them. He taught them they can do and be anything. He taught them not to settle. He spent time with them. He listened when they needed to speak to someone. Even though they are far away, they call their Pops when there is a problem.

He’s a great pastor and friend. He loves people. He listens, he prays, he advises and he propels them into their destinies.

He’s talented. He plays guitar and percussion. He’s got an awesome voice. I love it when he sings to me when we dance. He’s a great teacher. He’s artistic. He’s a great dancer. He has a way with the written word as well as the spoken word. He’s intelligent.

I’ve watched him over the past thirty years become a man of God that I’m so proud of. He loves God, he loves me, he loves our children and he loves others. He’s a good man.

Happy Birthday Babe. I love you more today than yesterday. You’re the best.

© Nadine Z. 2008

Chocolat

Recently I watched the movie, Chocolat (2000). It’s about a single mom who opens up a chocolate shop in very small town in France around 1960. She has a special gift for guessing people’s favorite chocolate. What I liked about this movie was that she used chocolate to instill hope and change in people’s lives. A married couple regained the romance and passion they had in their youth. A battered wife learns to make chocolate but learns more than just a trade. She learns self respect. A lonely older man finds courage to approach the old widow he has secretly had feelings about. Even the old landlord rediscovers her grandson and friendship.

Watching the story unfold, you see transformation take place in the lives of the individual town people. When the controlling town mayor tries to turn the hearts of the people against the chocolate maker, you see hope fade. Hope is a powerful thing.

Proverbs 13:12, “Hope deferred makes the heart sick, but a longing fulfilled is a tree of life.”

It was a pleasant movie to watch; it made me smile and at times made me laugh out loud.

Have a pleasant, loved filled Valentine’s Day.

© Nadine Z. 2008