36 years ago today, on the best day of my life, I married Linda Louise Geisler. Now she’s come to Ghana for 2 weeks and we’re celebrating. For the past week, I’ve been like a kid getting set for his first date. Just ask our cook, housekeepers and my housemate what it’s been like. They roll their eyes as I try to make it perfect. They may make me pay later. I don’t care, I’ve been looking forward to this since January 12.

Looking west from Coconut Grove

Linda has been the unsung hero in this whole adventure. She’s been on the front line since January, tending to her 90-something parents, shouldering my half of the remote parenting activities (yes, 30-somethings still need it), acting as irrigation association secretary/treasurer, and keeping The System going. She has been my angel, my confidante and my pillar through the tough times here.

Linda is courageous when it comes to DIY. Early in our marriage when we had no money, we would often “repurpose” (“cut a bunch of holes in”) various bits of furniture and apartment structure to suit a new need or desire. I was usually reluctant, although I was the one wielding the jigsaw. Linda chided, “c’mon, what’s the worst that could happen?” Over the years, she’s picked up a lot of techniques due to my frequent business travel. She’s learned the mundane (recharging car batteries), the arcane (deciphering IKEA instructions to build wall units), and now the insane… The Irrigation System from Hell.

On departure day, all flights from Boise to Chicago were cancelled. Weather in the Windy City, and everything stops in the City of Trees. So the next day, she was up and at ‘em. Minutes before the cab is to arrive, sprinklers don’t come on. She’s been slaving over this Rube Goldberg contraption for 3 months and finally got it dialed in.  Unbeknownst to her, the day before her departure, the neighbor decided to grind up a stump next to the pump, destroying it. A stump grinder is a scary machine – picture a 5-foot chainsaw piloted by a guy behind a thick shield. This one was quite effective.

Coconut Grove has a crocodile pen and a tilapia pool. I think they are related…

Linda swallowed that defeat and arrived on time a day late. We’re in Elmina at a romantic spot named Coconut Grove. She has been a good sport during the forced march through Kakum National Park and the Canopy Walk (see previous post). However, I walked behind so she wouldn’t throw me over the side.

This has been the best anniversary ever for me. I’ve missed her terribly, and try to avoid thinking about the fact that in 2 weeks she’ll be gone. Then I’ll start looking forward to the next time…

Linda’s here. I’m here. It must be home.