Last week, one of the children in my class asked if you were going to live on Mars and meet little green men. He’s the funny one in the class (kind of reminds me of you). How to use the bathroom was also a big concern. So, you can see that the youngsters are very curious. I’m going to write down some of their questions and send them to you. It would be wonderful if you would send back answers. Receiving mail from space would be thrilling to them and generate many follow up questions. I’m sure they’ll want to know more about the rover and your Martian calendar, as well as any little green you happen to stumble upon. Who knows, perhaps we’ll be educating future astronauts. Wouldn’t that be something!
I’m overjoyed for you and looking forward to hearing about the fantastic achievements to come from this mission. I miss you terribly and am especially lonely after dinner. This was the time we shared and chatted about our day. There will be much to talk about when you return home and are in my arms. That is, after we get reacquainted. They say absence makes the heart grow fonder, and I am especially fond of you.
Today, on our special day, I am missing you more than ever. Over the years, we’ve managed to celebrate most of our anniversaries together. Many couples in the space program haven’t had that luxury, so I feel blessed. Of all your anniversary gifts, those most dear to me have been in verse. So, in celebration I have composed a poem for you. It’s an unusual form called a tanka and I hope you like it. A tanka is kind of like a haiku but adds 2 more lines of 7 syllables each. Happy Anniversary to my husband: my only love.
Cherish
This day comes each year
My heart was captivated
By your wit and charm
Joyful tears spilling as I
Tenderly cherish your love
Forever yours, Emma
< ≡ ♂ ≡ >