Reflections on how my wife changed me.

I just had a phone call with a relative that normally would have turned to shouting, cursing, and threats of violence. Yes, I talked to one of my siblings. The facts behind the conversation are not as important as the results themselves.

My wife changed many things just by being apart of my life. In my younger years I was quick to judge a person based on their appearance and sexual orientation. I was for lack of a better way of putting it, A homophobe. My wife showed and taught me that I was wrong. She made a better person out of me. I know that a persons dress, orientation, sex, capabilities, nothing makes them who they are or if they are good or bad. Outwardly I would say I believed this when I was younger. But, I was one of the gang to jump on the bandwagon to poke fun at those who are different. 13 years later I can tell you that is no longer true.

Today I can say that just getting the chance to know another person is a reward in itself. I only care what a person does to me directly. If you have something in your life that is different than mine, hey I get to learn something new. I get to learn a new way of life. To me that is excitement.

Now I state all this because it gives background to why the phone call was so important. My sibling was cursing me and expressing a desire to physically harm someone if he didn't get what he wanted. I never raised my voice, lost my cool, or returned the anger. I simply don't find that it is worth raising my blood pressure because someone other than me is having bad and wants to spread the misery. Misery loves company but I don't. :)

I have found that when the worst imaginable thing can happen happens, nothing else is a big deal. So, to my wife I thank you. Knowing you has not only made me want to be a better person, It has made me a better man.