Analia

Analia

I never started out to write a poem. I started out by trying to put the things that I was feeling down on paper in a manner that Analia could understand and perhaps feel with me. I was certainly as surprised as anyone when my feelings came spilling out in the form of poetry. At first I was so excited that I could hardly stand it. I couldn't believe that these words had come out of me. And then I was afraid, afraid that she wouldn't understand, afraid that my words, no matter how sincere, weren't worthy of her. That is always a risk that one takes in writing thoughts on paper that come from so deep inside. It is nearly impossible for me to do so without exposing a lot more of myself than I ever intend.

I had intended to just write some thoughts about us in her Christmas card. But somehow that just didn't seem right now. I have never been pleased with my handwriting and now with so many feeling about what I had written, I couldn't bring my self to enter these words in her card in my scrawl. So I had a girl named Wendy Gardner print my poem in Analia's card in caligraphy. As I think back on it now I'm amazed that I would let anyone else read it. But I was so excited and I suppose I was looking for someone else to tell me that it wasn't "really so bad".

We spent that Christmas with her mother in Sacramento, and we exchanged cards in bed Christmas Eve. She cried and told me how much she loved my poem. And I suppose what is more important she made me feel like she really appreciated it. It was her approval that has given me the courage to write more of my feelings down and let others read them. I'm still a little sensitive about whom I let read them because there is just too much of me exposed in every line.

Gale L. Wolfenbarger
23 March 1988

Analia

You came into my life when I had nothing to give
But you took even that which was there
You taught me that giving was more than a gift
And the purpose of life was to share.

You brought my life hope and a song to be sung
And a meaning to rise for each day.
And I thank the Lord daily for giving me you
And our life ever more, come what may.

Life hasn't been easy but I plotted the course
And it's brought me to loving you.
And my greatest reward is a smile on your face
For every word and act that I do.

Bless our days Father and give us the strength
To successfully pass through this life.
And thank you, oh Father, for giving to me,
Analia, my help meet, my wife.

Our days have now lengthened our steps have now slowed
And we're in the autumn of life.
Our family surrounds us, a heavenly host,
And you my forever wife.

Our lives have been blessed with all earth has to give,
Our home amid friends that we love.
And there we will dwell until we are called home
To dwell in our mansion above.

Gale L. Wolfenbarger
December 1977

Additonal verse added December 12, 2008