STORY:
“The other night when I got home from work, my neighbor Jack was shoveling his driveway. We said hello. And then I realized I didn't have my house keys with me! I'd left them in my other coat! I have a key-pad on the garage door but it wouldn't work either. He offered his cell and I called my husband. He couldn't figure out why either so Jack invited me in to wait for him. I got to meet his wife, Sue, and his 2-year old daughter and 9-month old son. They were so cute! They both had little colds, coughing and sniffling. I was there for 2 hours. They offered supper; I said thanks but I really wanted to wait for my husband and have supper at home, I was just thankful that I had a place to hang while I waited. I got a tour of the house. Jack was on-call so he had to do some work...one phone to his ear, cell phone rings, working on laptop, holding the baby in his arms, all at the same time...after he had a quick bite, prepared the bottle, took the baby downstairs with him and fed him while he worked some more. My husband showed up at 6:45 and I thanked them for their wonderful hospitality. I just want to thank them for being so nice to me and taking me in and we look forward to having them over too.”

POEM:
There I stood, stranded at my door
Keyless and out in the cold
A different coat from the night before
Had my memory gotten that old?

Then a neighbor offered a helping hand
The gesture was far too kind
He knew that his wife would understand
She was lovely and didn’t mind

They welcomed me in their gorgeous home
At their busiest time of day
Juggling kids & dinner & ringing phones
Without making me feel in the way

It was all so very nice of you
Thank you from both me and my spouse
We’d love to make it up to you
By inviting you over to our house

TESTIMONIAL
“Yay! I'm gonna print it, stick it in a blank card and drop it in their mailbox! I guess I'll see them sometime this week and see their reaction. Thanks! Nancy.”

STORY:
“My partner Max has lived with me through the last 14 years of adventures going from a man with no kids to a man with 2 kids that he escorted through adolescence. They are now 17 & 20 and as I was climbing the career ladder to provide for the kids, he picked up the challenge of being the part-time stay-at-home step dad (he took long-term contracts a couple of times a year... probably just to get out of the house!). We now had reached a phase where we had more time to ourselves and our projects and were planning for our new adventures when my daughter moved back home with some serious needs and a whole bunch of drama. He patiently took a deep breath and reverted back to step dad, bringing her to appointments, rendezvous and generally just being around to help. He deserves a big standing ovation and an Oscar to boot! I don't know what I would do without his strength and dedication behind me. That's what I call UNCONDITIONAL LOVE!”

POEM:
They say behind every good man is a good woman
One who supports him without complaint
So if ever those tables happen to turn
It's so rare, he's considered a saint

When I was losing all hope, you entered the scene
At a time when my kids were in need
Instant parent, you took right to the task
And there were many adventures indeed


Just then, my career was taking off
You played part-time-stay-at-home-step-dad
As I climbed up the ladder in those teenage years
You dealt with the ugly, the good and the bad


But the years were a friend and they finally moved out
It was our time for adventure and freedom
Then my eldest came back, full drama in tow
Just when we thought we no longer had to feed ‘em!

Your patience victorious once again,
Your hairline perhaps a little thinner
But deep dedication is always your game
And, as usual, I am the winner

Max, what words can repay what you’ve done?
Your love is its own reward
You’re my strength, unconditional, yoga of my soul
And you deserve a gigantic award

TESTIMONIAL
“That's pretty good! It sums up a lot of my feelings and incorporates personalized events to really get you in the heart.”