To My Wife as She Steps Through a New Door

Summary

A husband pens a heartfelt tribute to his wife as she transitions to a new government role, acknowledging her tireless dedication to public health and the positive changes her new position will bring to their personal life.

Abstract

The author reflects on his wife's 35-year career in public health, where she has been a staunch advocate for mothers and children, reproductive rights, smoke-free environments, and regulated cannabis consumption. Despite the challenges, including long hours and emotionally taxing work during the pandemic, she has consistently exceeded expectations. As she prepares to interview for a new government position, the author anticipates the reduced stress and increased time they will spend together, and he playfully hopes to be spared from hearing about Mr. Darcy again. He expresses gratitude for the prompt by Jonny Masters, which inspired him to write this piece to encourage his wife to embrace the new opportunity without guilt.

Opinions

The author admires his wife's commitment to her work, which goes beyond the typical expectations of "good enough for government work."
He acknowledges the physical and emotional toll her demanding job has taken, noting the dark rings under her eyes and the stress she endures.
The author is optimistic about the positive impact the new job will have on their lives, including reduced stress for his wife and more shared time together.
He humorously references his wife's habit of watching "bloody English films" repeatedly, suggesting a light-hearted desire for change in their routine.
The piece conveys a deep appreciation for the sacrifices his wife has made in her public health career and a hopeful anticipation for a more balanced life ahead.

A poetry prompt to write for someone

Thirty -five years in public health taking care of mothers and children, caring for reproductive rights helping to pass regulations keeping smoke out of restaurants and other public places guarding our beaches from cigarette butts (like they were ashtrays) keeping vaping from our children helping regulate and educate about cannabis ensuring consumers buy from safe sources working hell-born hours taking calls during those plague years from contact tracers weeping as you heard daily tragic stories of farm-worker families losing padre or madre or both leaving niños now only with their abuelos

Good enough for government work was never an expression good enough for you as you work 10–12 hour days performing the work of three people because HR has never recovered from Covid and employees have quietly quit

Though I cannot see it wearing these love-smeared lenses of 20 years ago others say how you have aged with the dark rings under eyes like some raccoon in disguise Yet your time under the whip of getting so many things done and doing beyond your best and being mother-hen to the many you manage is coming to an end

You will interview for this government position that I cannot publicly tell and you will ace it and then you will manage a few doing only one job imagine that and the stress, the tears, will fade away with more income to retire faster

But best of all I will spend more time with you

And maybe, you won’t have to keep watching those bloody English films over and over and over where everything is known and comes out right in the end and I will not have to hear Mr. Darcy’s name again

Thank you for reading, and a big thank you to Jonny Masters for his prompt about writing for someone (see below). I could think of none more deserving than my wife after years of working her ass off and having this new employment opportunity that will bring her much more of a balanced life. This is to encourage her to walk through this door without the guilt of leaving public health.

To My Wife as She Steps Through a New Door

A poetry prompt to write for someone

Poetry Playground Writing Prompt #11

It’s Personal