Combination gifts fit Valentine’s bill

Well, Valentine’s Day is Feb. 14, and my wife and I celebrate our 62nd wedding anniversary the 18th. Usually, I buy her something and say, “Here’s your combination anniversary and Valentine’s gift!”

This year I’m going to do something different. I’ll get her two separate gifts.

We’ve had a very amicable marriage, I might add. Not necessarily loveydovey, but no major problems. Somehow, we managed to raise four wonderful kids. Maybe they inherited our values or maybe it was through osmosis, I don’t know, but they are all caring and considerate of others to an unusual degree.

They all four are inclined to help those less fortunate. Maybe their religious training paid off. They try to treat others as our Lord Jesus Christ would. No macho man stuff!

Anyway, as Leah and I have grown older, we have been confronted with our share of health problems. This can be stressful, but we’ve always remained optimistic and helped each other.

Currently, I have a hearing problem — which can be irritating — and she has a vision problem. We manage the best we can and have learned to tolerate our disabilities.

So, I’ll get Leah a box of chocolates for Valentine’s Day, and something else — maybe a dozen roses, for our anniversary.

Hmmm. That fancy circular saw at Tractor Supply looked awfully good!

— Louis Houston is a resident of Siloam Springs. His book “The Grape-Toned Studebaker” is available locally and from Amazon.com. Send any questions or comments to louis1931@ gmail.com or call 5246926. The opinions expressed are those of the author.