cancer – day 67

So I’m in the kitchen staring in the fridge figuring out what the heck to make for lunch (we’ve been avoiding buying lots of groceries since we’re leaving town for the weekend, so the pickin’s are gettin’ slim), and Mark scares the daylights out of me when he starts to come in the kitchen from around the corner behind the refrigerator. I was so startled I actually scared him back! Then after a good laugh he thanked me for the birthday card I’d left on his computer when he was taking Rusty to the airport. I hate buying cards in relationships, they’re never quite right, you know? So I’d written Mark a little note and a poem that I printed and put inside the card, and he thought that was really beautiful. I didn’t expect quite such a reaction, I mean, it’s not like I’m a good poet, but he really liked it. I debated whether to put it in my blog, it’s a little weird to think of, like, my dad reading this, but the blog to share this intimate journey, right? So, here we go:

Dear Mark,

Now how am I supposed to find a birthday card that’s appropriate for where and what we are? Impossible. It’s either something flip and cute or so over-the-top lovey flowery that it’s just as ridiculous for us as a card that’s silly cute. But something fun was good to put this in. . . 🙂

I’m more prone to prose these days (I know you know), but poetry seems so much more appropriate on your birthday, I had to try to capture at least one moment of this life with you in words . . .

Happy Birthday, Baby.
Cynthia

It was a regular Tuesday, though, we both had a regular full work day, and Mark had to teach last night, but I had talked to Donna and she got a card for all the students to sign and then I went over to TBTR a the end of classes with an ice cream birthday cake for him to have with everyone. He was completely surprised, but he loved it. I can’t remember the last time I dated someone who enjoyed birthdays so much! It was fun doing what I could to make his day special.