Thankful For the Anniversary We Didn't Expect to Celebrate!

A year ago we didn't expect to celebrate our 47th Wedding Anniversary. Doctors gave us a grim cancer diagnosis.  "Rapid progression, unresponsive to treatment, low survivability" concluded a mountain of test results.

To our surprise, the peace and presence of God, which other cancer patients attest to, filled us with praise, thankfulness, and humor. We determined to laugh, celebrate each day, and treasure the time we had left together.

If my days were short, I wanted them filled with joy, not sadness.

 Oncologists urged us to go away and have fun. I do what my doctor orders.  Last September we headed for Hilton Head to celebrate our 46th wedding anniversary. For two glorious weeks we enjoyed our love, the blessings of being alive, the treasure of time together.

In December my doctors were as excited as we were to learn a new drug had been approved for my type of cancer.  Take 3 pills a day  (one in the Name of the Father, one in the Name of the Son, and one in the Name of the Holy Spirit) and your cancer progression may stop.

And stop it did! 

Today my blood counts are normal.

 I feel better and have more energy than I have in years. 

Other than my cute chemo curls, there are no side effects.

This week Dan and I celebrate an anniversary we didn't expect to see—our 47th! We're returning to the same Hilton Head condo with thanks to God for the sweet gifts of marriage and time.

Looking back,

 I realize this last year has been the best year of our married life. 

Why? 

Because when we face the death of a spouse, priorities and perspectives change.

We treasure every moment. 

Idiosyncrasies are funny, not irritating.

We dance and sing together. 

We hold hands.

We sit together on the couch. 

We touch—often. 

We do today all the things we talked about, but never made time to do. 

We kiss—over and over. 

We tell each other "I love you"—constantly. 

We stop arguing. 

We treat each other with kindness. 

We let each other have his/her way. 

We go to bed together. 

We look into each other's eyes when we  speak and when we are quiet. 

We smile. 

We laugh. 

We love deeply. 

Cancer was a gift to us. A wake-up call to the treasure of love, life, and time. Don't wait for a crisis in your marriage to begin living love deeply.

"Above all, love each other deeply . . . . " 1 Peter 4:8

Praying for marriages as we splash in the Atlantic Ocean! 

Why Dan Married Elaine

Happy 44th Anniversary to us!

I laughed when I learned "food" was the 44th anniversary gift. Afterall,  food brought Dan and I together and food keeps us together.

 Years ago I asked Dan why he married me. With a smile, he  joked, "You are the only woman I've ever met who can eat more than me!" He's right.

 I accepted his first dinner invitation only because I was hungry. As a vain and unwise single woman, I spent my paycheck on clothes and left none for food. When Dan  asked me to dinner. I jumped at the opportunity to be freely fed. Not trying to impress, I did eat more than Dan that night. It was love at first bite! Sorry, I couldn't resist the corn.

Dan and I love to eat. We're good at it. We enjoy fine restaurants, Nathan's hot dogs, and everything in between.

Food brought us together, but what keeps us together? Food!

 Jesus said

 "I am the living bread that came down from Heaven. 

Anyone who eats this bread will live forever,

 and this bread, which I will offer so the world may live, is my flesh."

 John 6:51 (NLT)

 Over 44 years Jesus has held us and fed us, comforted us and brought us back together during the difficult times.  Without Jesus (the living bread) our marriage is weak and sick and starving. With Jesus, we thrive!

Does your marriage need a booster shot? Feed on His Word. Do what Jesus tells you to do and nurse your way  to a healthy marriage. 

A good dose of Jesus brings a splash of serenity on any day!

Our 43rd Anniversary and We're Separated

#WeAllMarriedIdiots #Marriage #Anniversarycelebrations #Treasureyourmarriage

 

Today is our 43rd Anniversary and Dan and I are not together. How did that happen? 

September 12, 1970, is the most important day of our lives! Our anniversary is so special that Dan takes the day off as a vacation day! Some years we extend the day to a week or a weekend. We love each other and we love celebrating our anniversary!

I remember one of our best celebrations in a year when money was tight. Hiking a mountain, our backpacks filled with candles, apples, cheese, wedding cake, fruit bubbly, and a blanket, we dined alone by candlight at the top of a mountain. The view was better than any seen from a sky high restaurant. We cuddled and kissed and sang love songs to each other. Have you heard my hubby sing? Yep, I swooned!

Funny, we've eaten fine food around the world, but it's the apples on a mountaintop that I remember best. Lovers in love don't need money to enjoy the moments of life.

We do celebrate our marriage, so why aren't we together?

Months ago I was asked to speak in California on September 13 - 15. Great!  We can celebrate on the 12th and I'll hop on an airplane to CA on the 13th. Airline schedules didn't cooperate, so we thought We'll both go to California. We'll leave a few days early and enjoy a 43rd anniversary in the California Redwoods. Woo Hoo! When Dan's work required him to be at a meeting near New York City on September 12, we realized spending our special day together was not to be.

I'm missing him, but I'm all right. We're at opposite ends of the country, but our hearts beat as one.

Last weekend we escaped alone. When we reunite next week, we're going away again. Who knows, we may end up on the top of another mountain!

Every day of marriage is a gift from God to be treasured. Every moment an opportunity to make a memory.

I'd love to hear your favorite anniversary story? Please share and give us ideas for future celebrations! We're praying for 43 more!

"Therefore what God has joined together, let man not separate."

Mark 10:9 (NIV)



Splashes of serenity prayed for my marriage and yours,