We're Not Retiring the Truth in Your Life

*A note to my husband as he retires from his lifelong career serving and protecting others.





As your life's career serving and protecting comes to an end,
There's one thing all would amen,
The man that you are will continue to shine. 

We're not retiring the truth of your life,
The truth about your sacrifices in pursuit of justice,
About the effort to protect the wounded and strangers,
About sharing the danger and heavy load of colleagues,
About your dedication to defending the defenseless,
About seeking justice and truth for others sake,
About learning strategies in search of truth,
About finding and holding strong to love and a family.

We're not retiring the truth of your life,
The truth about your sacrifices of time,
Time with family,
Time at night and weekends and birthdays with your kids,
Time on vacation cut short,
Time celebrating your great grandma's 100th  birthday,
Time to see your daughter's ultrasound,
Time for emergency room trips with your son,
Time to rescue your wife during car breakdowns,
Time to keep old and develop new friendships,
Time to discover new dreams in life.

We are not retiring the truth of your life,
The script that we've been writing for over 30 years,
Even when they tell you that you aren’t a certified agent

When you aren’t official,

When you have no federal title,

When your dream has been deemed complete,

When your sense of purpose is no longer theirs,

When life as you've devoted it has halted.

We won't retire the truth of your life because

You are still my man of over 32 years,

The man that brushes soft caresses across my shoulder,

The man that carries my purse, Bible, dreams, and worries,

The man that softly sways my hair from my face,

The man that enjoys our quiet car rides,
The man that tolerates my music over talk radio,
The man that shares my long, aimless, slow walks,
The man that shares the quiet porch breezes,

The man that finds joy in my laughter,

The man that dances closely, slowly,
The man that says, "Hi Babe" into my phone,
The man the cuddles close at home,
The man that is my dream,
The man that makes our planned dreams come true.

We're not retiring the truth of your life.

You have been friends' strong man, and always this woman’s  
      gentleman.

You are the son who held his mama close,
Rubbed her tortured head to his chest, and sang her fears away.
You have been a model for two young men and a champion of one
       young lady.
You are the Papa that chases grandkids for hugs, kisses bellies,
       plays hide-and-seek, smiles at pictures, 
Finding it hard to put that kind of love in words.
You are the master who cried while burying our family dog. 

You are a man that stares down tomorrow with questions, faith, and
       hope.

You are a man that has spent most of your days the way you 
       wanted:
Loving family, raising kids, creating a career, and serving God.
And we're not retiring the truth of your life, of this man, my man!