Reading It

jodiann 17 April 2009 Daily Updates 115 views No Comment Print This Post  Email This Post

Slow Waltz for Georgia Ann

The author  writes to his wife about their nearly 25 years of marriage.

Okay, let’s get one thing out of the way. Georgia Ann is perfect. I often shy from the word, but in this instance its correct and in my imperfection both applaud her and hate her for it. With this revelation of rspectful envy, we move on. 

My love letters come in the form of home built computers and internet connection troubleshooting.  A dryer packed with lint that mysteriously gets clean. A washing machine that every part has been replaced, some twice. Knowing Jack carries the model and serial numbers to all my favorite appliances in his wallet because he happily knows I will not give them up until they stop making parts. The satisfied smile he flashes me after Cherry Pie. So who needs any letter? I do, now that I read this one from RJW to Georgia Ann. 

What Waller does with this essay is not just gush about his wife.  He makes us understand it was a process of her and him to come to these easy living terms. A woman who could easily have been lost in the largeness of his adventures, his far-flung travel,  his music, and  his famous writer status has triumphed at holding on to her unique nature…found a life which runs along side his without worry about it being equal or fair.  Or worry about keeping a tally on how much time they spend together as opposed to all his other loves. Worry has long since left their equation. In reading this essay, I find hope for the rest of us blind squirrels. Somehow, with luck, we’ll come up with the same brand of nut.  Love letters or no love letters.