Meet Joey – the nicest guy I know. Ok, the cutest, too.
Really, Joey is your honest-to-goodness nice guy. Once, he drove to Baguio in the morning to bring his Lola home; that same day, he drove back to Manila as I had a job interview the next day. And all through those 10 odd hours in the driver’s seat, he didn’t complain. Actually, that made me guilty for not expending an effort to drive – he sure could have used an alternate driver! But see, that’s just how nice he is!
Not only is Joey Mr Nice Guy, he also has the gentlest of ways. He never raises his voice, no matter how angry he is; he doesn’t have a mean bone in his body, even if he gets the shabbiest of treatment from others (and believe me, some people have behaved despicably towards Joey!); he is always generous and kind-hearted, loving and giving.
My parents are actually his number one fans – they think the world of him, especially my Mom. And rightly so. Joey once was late for an appointment because he had lunch with my Dad at home. See, my Dad showed him the fresh fish he bought earlier that day and boasted to him that it was for lunch; and true to form, kind Joey didn’t have the heart to tell my Dad that he wouldn’t be having lunch at home. But lunch at home he did. Now, would any of you do that for your own parents? Much less, your parents-in-law?! Heck, I couldn’t even get my brothers to drive for my parents at a moment’s notice! Suffice it to say that there is no short supply of proof that Joey is nice. He cooks for my niece when I am not yet home (and her parents are not yet home, too!) He even wakes up early to see me off whenever I have out-of-town trips, and this he manages to do, even as he is the type who starts his day much later in the morning. He actually once stayed up all night to edit, format and print a manual I was working on because I was too tired and couldn’t keep my eyes open for a minute more. When I awakened the next day, my report was all printed and bound, ready to be submitted!
Now, you may be wondering why I am showering Joey with laudable superlatives. Well, because today is his birthday! After months of mulling it over, I faced a blank wall regarding his birthday gift. Not because he is hard to please. On the contrary, he is such a simple and down-to-earth guy, he doesn’t need much. I offered a new phone, a new shirt, a new work table, a new hard drive… well, most things that I could afford, and could be bought at any store. But no, he says he doesn’t need much. And so I decided that the best way to celebrate Joey’s birthday is to celebrate his goodness. And in my own way, through this blog, I celebrate his loving ways, gentle demeanor, and kind heart. Really and truly, he is the best hubby there is!
And so Joey, on your 43rd, I wish all the best. May God always shower with his abundant blessings, and keep you safe under his wing. I know you have your doubts and misgivings, that life has not always dealt you a desirable hand, but believe me, you are simply the best.
Today, I celebrate YOU. The world may not know of you and your fantastic good deeds; but I do, and I thank you for being such a wonderful human being. Birthday or not, you deserve love, peace and happiness… I am convinced that the world, or at least, my part of it, is infinitely better because you are there.
Happy birthday, honey, and may all your wishes come true!
