It’s been a over a year since my Open-Heart Surgery, so this is a poetic Valentine tribute to my wife, delivered through a Nora Fleming ceramic plate topper: 

From the Heart

Our 26th Valentine, 

It started with a Pez.

Listen to my heart,

“I Love You,“ it says.

I can’t imagine your thoughts, 

Seeing my heart exposed.

It was a scary moment, 

That only you will know. 

But now a year has passed, 

And I’m on the mend. 

To my special Valentine, 

Gratitude I send. 

You’ve nursed me all along, 

While I had little to give. 

I need you by my side, 

As long as we both live. 

“Miss Denise,” 

My “Sweetie Pie.” 

Your heart is gold, 

While I’m a tired guy. 

Can’t wait to heal, 

And cuddle with you. 

It won’ be long, 

Loving is past due. 

Your Valentine gift, 

Though not a Limoges.

Not even a Pez, 

A NORA No-moges. 

This chocolate-covered,

Ceramic, Strawberry treat.

Our Eddiversary sweet, 

But, in this case, not to eat.

Sorry, there isn’t more, 

I bought a Valentwin.

But it can be exchanged, 

When you take it back in. 

A gift that keeps on giving, 

Like my heart that ticks anew.

It’s filled with love for you, 

And everything you do.

Love, MikeL 

Valentine 2025