Wide View of Celebrations

Wednesday, August 28, 2024

We’ve shared many years being married.
Some were smooth-as-silk and some harried,
We’ve come to love more
Than ever before.
And learned—life is really quite varied.

Do celebrations prompt you to look back?

Our Wedding Anniversary …
Sixth-Fifth!

This big-number-marker has
Prompted remembering through so many years..
That in itself is a trick.

Mostly it is like watching a screen
On double-fast-forward.
Births, new locations, big life-changes
Are where my memories are strongest.

In our first ten married years
We had four babies and
Moved to a different  geographic location
Every two years.

Those moves, which were Very Hard for me,
Have become part of my Life Tapestry.
It has definitely taken time for me to recognize
That each move added its own pattern and texture …
Not to be missed.

We married in Wyoming,
Immediately moved to New Jersey,
For Bob to attend Library School.

The day we left Cheyenne,
My six year old sister stood near car,
Crying “He’s taking her away,
He’s taking her away!”

I will admit—that is exactly
What I felt at that moment.

Figuring out how to be “grown-ups,”
Making a day’s challenges into
A better next day.
Sharing bright periods
And some darker days.
We’ve come to deeper respect,
Deeper love.

Change, growing, learning …
All part of years of committed relationship.

Getting through tough spots,
On to increased caring, appreciation, love.
That’s the story of my married life.
I am grateful.

Some weeks ago, Bob sent
Email query about our visiting
Extended family in Viroqua, WI area.

Two date options were possible.
Turned out, available one for visiting was 
Weekend containing two grans’ birthdays
And our anniversary.

Serendipitous, unplanned synchronicity. 
We were part of celebration.
Some single-family visits plus
A gathering of many area relatives,
Outstanding.

Concert by “Loosey Stone”
Musical group made up of 
A son, his S.O., his daughter (our Gran).
An outdoor event with GF pizza, 
Dozens of area families happily interacting,
And Good Music.

Amazing marker…
This 65th!

Hugs,
Lin