Here we are again, back in the surgery wing at St. Luke’s hospital. I think this is number…I forget. Thankfully it’s a fairly simple procedure that had to wait until Sarah had fully healed from her previous surgeries. I’m much calmer this time around. Maybe it’s because I’m used to it by now or maybe it’s because I know it isn’t as serious as the others. Sarah seems much calmer as well. Then again, she is always as cool as a cucumber.

I do my usual thing and just try to make her laugh as much as possible before they take her back. I may not have a ton of great qualities, but I know I can bring a smile to her face. If she does have any fears, she sure as heck doesn’t show it. She’s as tough as they come and really sets the standard of what a woman should be. At least in my humble opinion. She works hard. Much harder than anyone I know. She’s driven to succeed, not only for herself, but for her family as well. She doesn’t claim to be oppressed by men, despite working in a vastly male dominated office. She’s the odd one out, but that doesn’t stop her from succeeding. She goes out and gets what she wants and doesn’t come back until it’s been obtained. She is way tougher than I am. And she makes it look easy. As I’ve tried filling some gaps at home while she works, I find myself questioning how she manages to do it all.

You often hear men being referred to as “pussies” and I don’t quite understand that connotation. The female genitalia is far stronger and can take one hell of a beating. Now, with men, if the wind blows it too hard, we’re keeled over in pain. It’s the weakest part of the male anatomy. It can’t even stand a change in temperature without shriveling back up into the body like a groundhog that just saw his shadow. If there were a derogatory term for someone not living up to their male potential, it should be “don’t be a nut-sack”.

Guys, women are stronger than us. Maybe not in a muscle kind of way, but you get the idea. They put up with so much of our crap, with nothing but style and grace. Their patience is unwavering. They are the backbone to every home. We work as a team, but we know who does the real work. They remember tiny details that us men would normally overlook. When I’m alone with the kids, we don’t even get out of our jammies and every meal is mac n’ cheese or corndogs. Not moms, though. They actually feed the kids fruit and make them bathe. Dad might be more fun, but mom keeps them alive.

I’m sure my views on women changed as I got older. I always respected them, but I never understood them like I do now. Bahahaha, just kidding. I still don’t understand them. All I know is, my life is surrounded by females. 5 to be exact. 6 if you count one of the dogs. They are all very different from one another. However, they all have one thing in common; they love fiercely and passionately. They are all warriors in their own right. They fight daily battles that us men can’t even begin to understand. I’m proud of all of the women in my life and happy for everything they have taught me about the world.

Fellas, listen to the women in your life. They ask for very little from us, but they give so much in return.

With gratitude,

Ryan