TO MY WIFE ANITA MY BEST FRIEND 

Dear Anita, my best friend and my love in life.

I don’t know what I would have done if we hadn’t found each other and gotten married. You have helped me in more ways than can be counted. I am blessed and continue to thank God for you.

We had some rough times while the kids were being raised. Most of our arguments were over different views on how they were treated. Luckily you prevailed as I would have botched it up. My travel on business kept me from many of the trials of raising the kids. When home I tried to be both a good dad and a good husband, but I was never satisfied with my performance.

We got through those times with some hardships but with much joy as well. Certainly in my business life if you hadn’t been so supportive, I could not have achieved what I did. At times I knew that I was living for my career, but tried hard to not let it overpower our life together. I know that after the kids were raised I realized more love for you than ever. I recall many times of just feeling wonderful that you were there beside me at night. I know that I kept much of this joy to myself without truly expressing it to you. It is too bad that so many people go about marriage like this. I am sure that if I had only said more often that I love you and thank you for all you mean to me and do for me, our relationship would have been even better. As it was though, it was a joy to be married even if a little rocky at times.

In retirement, you continued to do what you had always done – make our house a true home, cook great meals, take care of the garden and do everything that is needed, and then some. I was not too helpful at times, although I worked reasonably hard to keep everything working. The business in Phoenix consumed much of my time for long periods. Involvement with ComputerLand was a way of life that I should never have undertaken; I just am not suited to run a retail business. Long hours were spent on the Red Cross board, and then other community affairs. I always have to keep busy it seems.

You were dismayed and alarmed when you detected that my life had changed because of the book Nancy sent. Yes my life has changed, but I know for far better. You would have gone to Heaven alone had I not embraced the belief that Jesus died for our sins, and started to love and worship Him. I did not know how strong your own beliefs were at that time, but knew that they were stronger than mine. Although I prayed to God most every night and tried to life a clean life, Jesus was not a part of my life. When I learned, and it fully registered, that he said: “No one will come to the Father except through me”, and “I am the Way”, I knew I had to change. When I learned that there is no one on this earth that is not a sinner, and everyone commits sins every day, I fully realized that Jesus was the only way. Now I spend much time thinking about Him and what I need to do for His work. Although God created this earth and can control everything, even the weather, he does not control how we act. We were created free to act as we please, commit sins or not, and to choose our afterlife.

I gave little or no thought to Hell or what not making the choice to worship Jesus would bring in our afterlife. At one time, I thought that I would live a good life and when I died, that would be it. Many would prefer that their life ends with death. If they truly knew what their real person, their soul would endure even if they didn’t make it to Heaven, they would wish that death ended it all. That is not a choice though. Our soul in our renewed body will either be with Jesus and his Father or be with Satan in hell. This is why I thank everyone who has influenced my choice. They showed real love for me.

Now I am trying very hard to be a better person for you. I don’t measure up I know, but am putting some real effort into it. I am trying to be a kinder and gentler George, to you, our family, and to everyone. There is satisfaction in receiving a smile from a stranger when I offer one to him or her. There is satisfaction in doing something for someone that I do not want them to even know about. I want no credit from any person as I am living for Jesus. Of course I appreciate it when someone does say a kind word about something I have done, but that is not what is important to me. The “peace that passes all understanding” is a wonderful feeling. Thank you for being my loving wife all these years.