Marriage Moats- Sixty Years

Published: Sun, 06/02/13

Marriage Moats

Caring for Marriage

Earlier this week there was a special service for the graduating seniors. John was one of six fathers who are ministers, and participated in the hands on blessings. Our twins, Hope and Aurelle, were asked to offer a prayer, and their sweet voices rose like larks through the expanse of the Cathedral. Parents, grandparents, sisters, brothers, friends all crowded into the pews to be part of the wreath of support.

After the students had filed out for strawberries dipped in chocolate, one couple lingered. They were here for two granddaughters. Sixty years before to the day they had walked this same aisle, her white gown sweeping the cool stone floor, gardenias across her arm. Today their wrinkled hands were clasped, hearts flooded with images spanning half a century.

Their son in law was one of the ministers, and followed them into the small chapel. Laying his warm hands on their gray heads he blessed them too.

The husband's eyes were moist with wonder, gazing at his bride whose beauty is undimmed by time. Her smile was etched with the gladness of one who has faced pain and stepped bravely into its fire.

There is no shortcut for a marriage of sixty years. How could there be? The comfort they bring to each other is not the evasion of the labyrinth that life brings, somehow leaping over the walls to skip to the end. Their union is carved like marble by the sharp corners within the maze, as they skirt round a bend with anxiety nipping their heels.

What is more marvelous still, they are more in love now than they were then.

Photo by Karl Parker

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