A Note to Mary

I bought your birthday present

Very early this year

And it's been so difficult

To keep it from you, dear.

I always want for you

The nicer things of life

Because I dearly love you

My sweet, my darling wife.

So, may all the good things

That life may hold in store

Come your way, and yes,

Twice as many more.

May God's eternal blessings

Shine upon your face

Through His everlasting love

And eternal saving grace.

By L. B. Strawn

February 16, 1976

And then I was so wrapped up

in problems that I didn't give

it to you and didn't wish you

a happy birthday till today

2-17-76.