Today George and I celebrate nineteen years of marriage.  Have I really been married that long?  The years collapse when I look back. Seems like only a few days ago that we walked down the aisle – I was 46; he was 70.  Aside from the chorological difference in age, we came together as peers: physically fit, intellectually bright and emotionally mature. (To tell the truth, the emotionally mature part took a few more years to fully develop.)

HIGHLIGHT of our 19 years together —
Now!  Right now! We are living the life we have spent 19 years creating. We fully trust each other, love and adore each other and are there for each other.  It took 19 years to prove one to the other that no matter how difficult it gets, we are “in” the marriage.

No couple escapes Life’s challenges and we have had our share. Challenges come in all sizes – small, medium, large and jumbo. Like the time George’s grandson asked to stay with us for 3 weeks while he looked for a job and a place to live—small challenge. Straight out of the protective womb of college and his boyhood home, he was relocating from the east coast to the west coast.  No one realized how truly difficult that would be for him. He was able to get a temporary job; but he was not able to find his own place. It took us 9 months to realize he was paralyzed with fear and needed assistance.  His visit turned out to be a jumbo challenge because his room was located underneath our bedroom!  Not a comfortable situation for any of us.

GOOD MEMORIES —
We have many good memories.  Vacations in Hawaii, Lake Tahoe and Yosemite just to name three of our favorites. Cards, flowers and sometimes gifts for birthdays and holidays.  And wonderful surprises, like the mystery date George planned for me early in our marriage.  All he said was be ready at 7pm and dress up. We drove across town to a big old house that turned out to be the location of a “play” in which the audience was part of the play.  It was a delightful evening, but it was the surprise feature that made it memorable.

Another good memory is the evening I surprised George after work with a treasure hunt.  One note led to another taking him all over the house and yard. I would encourage him when he was hot and tell him when he was cold. Of course, the prize at the end of the hunt was ME!  What fun we had with that surprise!

The unspoken vow of marriage is: “I’ll support you doing your life journey and you support me doing mine.”  When you can find two people willing to do that they are perfect for each other. George frequently says to me, “I’m so glad I found you,” and I respond with “Ditto!”  George and I are truly blessed to have found each other. 

Until you return, fill your days with GIGGLES, JOY, APPRECIATION and GOOD MEMORIES!

Sylvia Silk, D.D. Director of the Institute For Balanced Living, Los Angeles, CA, USA
Doctor of Divinity, Spiritual Coach, Reconnective Healing Practitioner, Writer