Almost forgot what today was in the midst of the business of life. Should we go to the kids for the holidays? Should we order an expensive item on line or find an alternative? Should we invest in repurchasing the saws and nail guns we used to have but gave away? And oops, today is September 24, 53 years after we officially committed ourselves both religiously and civilly, to a union, to a determination to live together, to build together, to spend our lives together. But please note yet again: still no proposal. Hmmpf!
Looking back, there were highlights of joy and happiness and moments of deep despair. Those were the moments that definitely tried our souls and the depths of our commitments to each other, to what we had built over the years, to the level of strength we had, to overcome, to solve, to hope, to trust in the depths of our beliefs, to rebuild. I believe it was those moments that truly cemented the marriage, filled in any possible cracks, far more than the moments of joy, for who crumbles under those?
As I look back at the 53 years, at the five years even before that, I marvel and wonder, I thank G-d for the opportunity we had and continue to have, G-d willing, to build together, to continue to grow together, to find new joys, new areas of togetherness, to be able to indulge the whims of the other and find that we can actually share them as well.
The joys and love of marriage evolve over the years. No longer the giddiness of first love, it has been tempered by time. It is more meaningful, deeper than the flowers on dates of first courtship, even the sweet gestures of waiting for me Friday afternoon and carrying my books home. It is more than the silly gifts I used to bestow on him with gleeful laughter. The willingness, the ability, the not turning away from the trials of life, of being patient and helpful as life chimes in with not such good news. It is a stronger, and yes, even a sweeter, kind of love, one based on life, on truth, on strengths, on the vagaries of that life together, as we weathered moments of happiness and joy and came through the moments of despair and trial, bruised and battered, tested, but better than before.
We accomplished much. No, not the accomplishment of huge amounts of money, or even little heaps of money, but we have much more than that in our bank accounts. These accounts give us interest, unlike the accounts of today! They are the savings of a lifetime. They are our children. They are our grandchildren. They are our friends. They are the good things we have accomplished in life, the help we gave to others, knowingly and unknowingly. They are the help we were given in our times of need.
They are the pride and good memories we have of our teaching careers, the friends we have made from that life, and hopefully, the good we did during those years. They are the knowledge that our names, for the most part, I guess, I hope, are good, always having been taught as kids, living as adults, that the crown of a good reputation is above all.
We look back and are proud of what we have done. We bless the hard work and love of our parents. We look forward, G-d willing, to more years together, to building more, to enjoying our dividends, knowing that our kids have absorbed what we tried so hard to give them, are loving siblings and we know that we can rest easy, knowing they are there for each other. We see the blossoming of our grandkids as they evolve from the adorable little cuties, to still and even more adorable and beloved responsible kids, teens, and young adults, choosing carefully, evaluating carefully, as they make their own ways through life. We know they love us unconditionally, even as we do the same, and oh, the joy, of ganging up on the middle generation!! And we are happy.
Notice that the piece has changed from I to We in the course of its composition. That is the same transition that has taken place over the years, so much so, so strongly, so deeply entrenched, that it is hard to even think of ourselves as separate beings. So much the WE are we. Of course, there are the remaining few imperfections that I am still working on, all to perfect the We -ness that we have, but then again, a woman's work is never done! Right, ladies?
And so WE hope for as many more good years that the Lord sees fit to give us. We like our We being. We even love our new found love of woodwork, of building new, of refurbishing the old and damaged, and creating new beauty. We know, not just hope, that that beauty of creation, of always building upon the old to new heights and depths will continue to insure that the We remains through all time.
Happy Anniversary, Gerry. We made it through the years, as Kenny Rogers sang, and We are all the better for it. Love ya ' and still awaiting for you know what!!! Are you wondering what the answer might be? Ahhh, the suspense....
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