WHAT MAKES LIFE SWEET FOR MIKE ANDERSON?

Mike and his sister Alicia

Do all men get better with age or just mine? Mike Anderson is doing a very sweet thing for me lately besides the dishes every night. I go to the temple on Fridays. Sometimes before I leave and at other times not until after my return I spy a white paper sitting on my shiny black stovetop. It makes me happy because I know this sheet is a hand written note from my thoughtful husband about something he admires about me. It is usually one page with details of his admiration. Most of the notes relate to normal things we women do when we are trying to be a good wife and homemaker. Others are recognition of my personal goals that he respects. It is nice and motivating to see that my man actually notices and appreciates what I am doing...even the simple things.
　
One Thursday morning last summer Mike went with me on a 10-mile bike ride which loops through west Farmington. We do this route often during the summer. I have spent most of this summer going alone as Mike's hip replacement hasn’t been comfortable enough to bike. On this particular day we passed Mike’s sister Alicia, who lives in Farmington Crossing. She was walking on a street in Oakridge with a friend. We didn’t stop to talk but waved a hearty hello. (Alicia tells me that when I am alone they often see me but I don’t see them—excessive concentration?) Mike said to me as we rode along, "Isn’t that great! I saw my sister on the street this morning."

When I returned from the temple on Friday the white sheet of paper was waiting for me to read. Mike told me later that seeing his sister walking on Thursday morning inspired him to write this list:

SOME things that make life sweet:

-Watching our birds
-Sitting on the deck on a cool morning
-A home cooked meal
-Taking a bike ride and seeing my sister walking
-A soft mattress
-St. George in February
-A daughter who lives in the area
-Grandsons
Michael making his first par
Being called "Poppy"
Watching Luke toddle
-Your paintings
-Golf channel/Hitting a long drive
-Visiting Monterey
-Good friends
-A fresh tomato, sweet corn, watermelon, chocolate, your marshmallow frosting on cake, hot fudge
-A movie we both like
-A day without pain
-The smell of fresh cookies
-Finishing a stained glass project
-Hearing a word in Spanish, French, German or Italian and understanding it. (He knows some of all these languages)-A Sarah Brightman classic
-When a child is happy or has a success
-A pet like Puddles (Maren's wonderful cat)
-Spending my life with you

I feel great joy that I could be a part of the sweetness in Mike’s life. Thanks my precious partner for your generous appreciation for the simple joys.