Today is a Hallmark holiday, and it frustrates me how readily the commercial taglines come to mind. I want to use words like “priceless” to hide the fact that I feel badly about not going and making a purchase to mark the occasion.

Of course, that has much to do with being ill for over a week, which did not help my classically poor attention to the calendar.

Thinking about being ill reminds me of the things you do here to make yourself the mother in this household. While I was sick, you took care of the children, something I would have had to figure out on my own a year ago. Had I been too dizzy to drive, I would have to choose between keeping a healthy Carissa home, or making the dangerous commute.

One of my greatest frustrations watching people live through abusive relationships is noting that their children are watching and taking note, deciding that living in a crazy or abusive household is normal. History shows that children pay careful attention to the roles their parents play and the examples they set, and later in life emulate them in their own homes. I take great pleasure in noting that my daughter will have your example to follow when she is building her life and nurturing children of her own, and in knowing that when my son selects a mate, he will measure all of his candidates against the standard that you’ve demonstrated. I sleep well at night in knowing that your fundamental influence will be one that I’ll not regret as they grow older.

It’s a hard job you’ve taken on, but one that so far no one has had the chops to see through. They love you plenty, but they’ll be as grateful later on as I am right now.

With all my heart,
Eric