35 Years Ago

35 Years Ago

I'm going to tell you a true story
That nary another soul knows
About the heart that's buried beneath
The uniform and the street clothes

It's a story about a young woman
Who was as scared as she could be
With four very small children
And a husband facing heart surgery

For many months during his long illness
This woman, with all the kids, did trek
To her husband's place of employment
To pick up his weekly pay check

She felt a lot like a beggar
Which was exactly their sadistic intent
And each and every week that passed by
She fought bravely with her discontent

Now, you'd think that they would just mail it
But, no way, not on your life
Weekly she was made to report and recant
The story of their stress and their strife

Her rope had been stretched to the limit
With concern for her young family
Just do it and stop all this fussing, she said
As she berated herself silently

Then her hero appeared out of nowhere
Putting her and the kids in the car
His presence put an end to the bullshit
The nonsense, he said, had gone too far

For the many long months this all lasted
He let nothing get in his way
Of easing his big brother's worries
And keeping them all at bay

They say it's our short term memory
That's always the first to leave
I don't have a problem with any of that
'Cause it's the long term to which I cleave

Richard, you are forever my hero
And I'll never forget what you did
But, I don't think I ever said 'Thank You'
Now, at last, I hope I just did.

Happy Birthday!