Our tears came at the most unexpected time. I wasn’t surprised that I cried, but when I saw your tears too, my heart swelled.
“Tell each other about what you’re proud of in them. Or a moment that made you feel proud of them.”
At the “Focus on the Family” video shoot on “Stronger Marriages” on Good Friday, I launched unexpectedly into a flow of words-
“I’m proud of you everyday, @cliff.tam – for grounding yourself in values that are counter cultural, for being authentic and true to who you are in spite of what society says you have to be.
But if I had to pick a moment, I’d say this- just yesterday when we left the mall and walked to the carpark, I saw you carrying both our backpacks and realized- you know what? That was a picture of our marriage.
That all these years, you’ve always carried two burdens- yours and mine, quietly, effortlessly, stoically- without complaint.”
As I began to tear, you did too.
“Because when people see me at the frontlines of the COVID-19 outbreak or jetsetting off to Africa to live the humanitarian doctor dream, what they’re not seeing is how you’ve courageously held the fort, carried my burdens and made me the person I am today.
For the past 10 years, you’ve always carried two backpacks. I am who I am, a better person from when we met 10 years ago, because of the words of affirmation you’ve sowed into my life and the way you’ve sacrificially laid yourself down for me.”
As tears trickled down from the crinkles of our eyes, I couldn’t help but thank God for the gift of the interview, but more importantly, the gift of you.
As He has laid down His life for us, so have you for those around you.
How apt that we should celebrate your life on Resurrection Sunday ❤️
Happy birthday, Cliff. Thank you for the gift you are to us and to the world. ❤️ I love you.