The Good-Bye Kiss at the Door

I recently read this poem in the TEACH magazine (by Lorrie Flem) while my husband was out of town for a few days.  This poem was extra special because of what happened the morning he left.

The day he left he forgot his coat at home. I only discovered it about half an hour after he left and anxiously called him - it is winter in South Africa and he must have his coat. Fortunately he was still in town and just leaving his health shop. He would quickly come to fetch it and asked me to meet him outside to give it to him. Minutes later I heard him stop and quickly went outside with his coat (all the children tailing behind me to give daddy a last goodbye). And there my husband stood with a bunch of flowers! He took his coat, gave me a last kiss goodbye, got in the car and left!

Every moment while he was away, I missed him, but then I looked at the flowers, remember his sweet good-bye kiss, experienced a well of joy in my heart. I had new strength to keep going and most of all looked forward to his hello kiss.  

Dear wife, may this poem inspire you to make every good-bye to your husband (no matter how long he will be away), extra special!

The Good-Bye Kiss at the Door

Author unknown

Her eyes were illumed with a glance of her pride

And her heart with love aglow,

As she softly tripped to her husband's side

When he opened the door to go.

And there in her morning wrapper trim,

While a smile her red lips wore,

She stood on the steps and gave to him

A good-bye kiss at the door.

She turns to her duties with cheerful heart,

For she has not now to learn

That the wife and husband must often part

When the daily bread's to earn;

And there's peace and joy in her gentle breast

As she sews, or sweeps the floor,

And every task is essayed with zest

For the good-bye kiss at the door.

And the husband, striving in life's rough race,

Where there's little time for play,

Has many a glimpse of her smiling face

In his mind through the busy day;

And his look is tender, his eyes are bright

As he cons his ledger o'er,

For he thinks of the welcome that waits at night,

And the good-bye kiss at the door.

O, wives and husbands, the world is bright

When the heart with love doth glow,

And its path is smooth and its burden light

If you're willing to make them so;

And the sun will show through the darkest day,

And scatter the clouds that lower,

And the roses blossom along life's way

For the good-bye kiss at the door. 

With love

Linnie