Happy Birthday, Gail!

[Editor’s note:  it’s that time of year again!  I always wish I could improved on what I wrote two years ago, but I can’t.  So I bring you all once again an oldie but goodie.]    Monomakhos has had a lot on his plate as of late. A lot. However, as your eponymous host, I am taking the opportunity (again) to shove everything off my desk and concentrate on something that’s really important.

Today you see, is my darling wife’s birthday.

Gail has been an inspiration, a help-meet and a dear companion. She has been my muse for several years now and ever since we tied the knot, it’s been a wonderful adventure. She challenges me and inspires me all at the same time.

I could go on but my own words I fear would fail me. And so instead, I will borrow the words of another George, Lord Byron, to describe how I feel about Gail:

She walks in beauty, like the night
Of cloudless climes and starry skies;
And all that’s best of dark and bright
Meet in her aspect and her eyes;
Thus mellowed to that tender light
Which heaven to gaudy day denies.

One shade the more, one ray the less,
Had half impressed the nameless grace
Which waves in every raven tress,
Or softly lightens o’er her face;
Where thoughts serenely sweet express
How pure, how dear their dwelling place.

And on that cheek, and o’er that brow,
So soft, so calm, yet eloquent,
The smiles that win, the tints that glow,
But tell of days in goodness spent,
A mind at peace with all below,
A heart whose love is innocent!

Please feel free to give her a shout-out today, on this, her birthday. Don’t worry, we will get back to business tomorrow!

I love you, Baby.

Comments

  1. Μωλον Λαβε says

    May God grant you many years of good health and happiness 🙂

  2. HBD Gail!

    God grant you many years ??☦️

  3. Ronda Wintheiser says

    The Facebook Nazis have imprisoned me again, so I was sad that I couldn’t wish Gail and Fr. Joseph Gleason Many Years on their timelines this morning.

    But now I can do it here! A much nicer, friendlier, warmer place, and I can even post something, too.

    THIS IS REALLY GOOD!

    https://orthodoxreflections.com/raising-warriors-for-christ/

    • Gail Sheppard says

      A twofer! I love it! Thank you, Ronda, and thank you for being such a fighter. We need people like you.

  4. Ditto for 2022, Gail. Or much wine, if you prefer.

    • Gail Sheppard says

      Either will work. Cake for lunch and wine with dinner! Thank you, Brian.

  5. Happy Birthday, Gail! Many years!

    • Gail Sheppard says

      Thank you, Misha! Thank you, too, for helping make the blog what it is today!

  6. Mnohajalita, in health, peace and salvation!

  7. A grand salute to Gail, indeed ! Bravo for both Gail and George. And Many Years to her, as well.

  8. Solidarity Priest says

    Happy Birthday, Gail! Many more, God willing!

  9. Dearest Gail,
    Happy Birthday ~ Xronia Polla on your special day.
    You are blessed with the love and admiration of your husband George and the respect of all who know you.
    God Grant You Many Years .
    …forever 29?
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0-4F-beq8mw
    ?????

  10. George Michalopulos says

    Fr, Gail and I would love to go back to Russia again! If we ever do, we’d love to come visit you!

  11. Happy Birthday, Galinushka! Many, many years!

  12. Many years!

    • Gail Sheppard says

      Thank you, my friend. Appreciate it! So happy to have you on the blog. I’m glad you landed here!

  13. Chris Banescu says

    May God grant you many, many, many years!

    • Gail Sheppard says

      Thanks, Chris! Appreciate it. Forwarded your request so we could get it done.

  14. Chronia Polla!

  15. Dear Gail– Christ, our Lord gave you a Keeper– in George– Ditto– he gave George the same perfect gift of true Spiritual Love…Hronia Polla with George!

    • Gail Sheppard says

      Thank you, Larissa. I think you’re right! And thank you for all the good information you’ve passed our way when we really needed it.

  16. Happy Birthday, Gail!

    Thank you and George for maintaining this blog as a forum for ideas and Orthodox Christian community in our otherwise very fractured American non-society. It is more important than you may think.

    Many years! Xρόνια πολλά!! Многая лета!

  17. For George and Gail – some Tolkien:
    “…singing sorrowless”
    https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=btQzobKFX0A

  18. Joseph Lipper says

    Congratulations and many happy years!

  19. Fr. David says

    MANY YEARS & may God continue to bless you for all of your hard work on this site! George married UP! Fr. David

  20. Many blessings ! and many thanks for all your hard work. That is a blessing to the rest of us.