HunnyBunny from Poohcakes

Katie came over to hang out while she worked on her sculpture for art class. She was putting the finishing touches on “the thinker”, you know the naked guy sitting meditating…like on the toilet pose. I saw the real thing a long time ago in a Paris museum. I don’t remember what he was sitting on. 

I poured us a couple glasses of Merlot. She was good. It was my job to encourage, and pour wine. 

“I don’t remember the real thing being so muscular or stocky” I mused aloud. “He looks a bit like he is grinning, not thinking”. The more wine we drank the better he looked. 

I had a birthday party in my home for our “church group”. Katie showed up with her boyfriend. I am terrible with names, but bodies? That one looked awfully familiar. I missed a beat. Her model, of course! 

He just happened to share my birthday. Ten years younger. Freshly divorced, living in his RV.  A kid. Somehow, (no wine involved this time because it was a church function) he ended up in the apartment downstairs keeping my adult schizophrenic son company. 

Gary was a logger, getting up in the wee hours and home long before me. Perfect for keeping an eye on Rick. 

I don’t remember much in the way of romancing except a meaningful hug and kiss…and somehow he moved upstairs. Did I say he is awfully cute with his big baby blues, a cleft in his chin and his big muscles? I was way too old for a sexy boy. Definitely not a cougar or looking! Men in my life usually brought me grief. 

I left for a long vacation to Germany to visit a close friend. He called occasionally. One time I heard Katie’s voice in the background, and another I was sure I heard him say “love you” as he hung up. I couldn’t ask him to repeat it. My journal reflects my jealousy. 

When I got back from Germany I convinced myself I was nuts to fall in love with an uneducated logger redneck. I was way too old. He had broken up with Katie. She avoided me. All he said is “she is not the marrying type”. Gary isn’t the talking type. 

My family (missionary family) was coming for a visit. My eldest sister Lani (who cannot keep a secret) was staying with me. What to do? Kick him downstairs? Explain? I am not the talking type either I guess. Unless I have had a drink. Which of course I couldn’t given the circumstances. 

A garage sale, a quick trip to the pawn shop…read about it in shot gun wedding. We got married in my older son’s house on Sunday with an internet preacher who was a close friend of mine. It was a jolly romp. My sister Lani was the only one who knew we were married, and for once in her life kept the secret until Tuesday.

My brother Paul, sister Lani and sister Winnie were all at the BBQ on Tuesday. With families of course. They asked for “married couples” to come get a picture…Gary grabbed my hand and there we were. Good thing he didn’t try to get permission. 

I wouldn’t trade my logging, shooting, fishing, gun-toting redneck for anyone in the world. He keeps me laughing. He balances my overactive worried mind. He is comfortable in his own skin. He doesn’t live for what other people think about him. Someone not liking me can destroy my week.  

Gary has taught me to be spontaneous, to enjoy the moment and live without regret over my yesterdays or fears for my tomorrows. I still try really hard to fix other people’s problems but he rescues me when I get in over my head. Thank goodness, or I would drown. 

We play hard. His stated goal was to “get all our toys before we retire because we won’t be able to afford them later”.  He was so right.

Today we spent an amazing day riding our ATV on the dusty logging roads with friends. We ride our Trike, camp with the grandson, do road trips…and enjoy each day we have together. 

Bless his heart. This old lady wouldn’t trade him for any man on this globe.