Twenty very full years.
At this point,
There’s almost too much to say.
I should have been writing you a poem every year.
What’s most amazing about our union:
I still have such a feeling of bliss around you …
I still love to look at you.
Your touch still makes me shiver.
We’ve gone through so much,
Haven’t we.
Attempts at natural childbirth, the family bed,
Nursing and attachment parenting groups.
Many jobs: PSA, Woodward-Clyde,
Chemtronics, Cal-OSHA and PSM.
KPBS, Video-Bio, Julian Charter School,
The Court Schools and All Saints.
Many schools: Unitarian Preschool, Grant,
St. Vincent’s, Waldorf, Harborside, Correia,
High Tech, Point Loma High School,
And there must be others.
Many trips: South Dakota, Montana,
Oregon, California, and everywhere
In between.
The Rosarito Beach Hotel.
I always complain about lack of rituals
But we’ve had a few good ones.
The singalongs, block parties, barbecues,
Christmas letters, Dia de los Muertos.
The sports: soccer, hockey, hockey, hockey.
The skills: piano, ballet and Kumon.
But when all is said and done,
There are only a few things in life
That I care about.
You listen to me and the strange
Bleats and yelps of an agonized mind.
You give me wise advice
And help me sort out the twisted mess.
Every day, it seems like at times.
When I’m in such a bad way
That I don’t know how I can continue,
You rub my head or feet
And provide such great comfort.
With your magic touch
Warmth and pleasure flows into me
I can feel myself
Being brought back to life.
When I’ve gotten us into
Yet another mess,
You rescue us
And make it come out okay.
I never have to worry
When you’re around.
I know how brave and protective
And smart you are.
Daria Doering 
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