Yet there is good news in that land of farmers and cowboys. Your Thriving Marriage is a state initiative that offers free retreats for couples.  The powers that write checks agree that investing in marriage is a good use of dollars. There are weekends for couples dealing with foster parenting, incarceration, financial duress, autism, grandparents raising grandchildren, and step family issues. Everything is covered including food and lodging. They mean it when they say they want to offer support. They believe there is enough money to invest in marriage. 

 

I am on the look out for ways to shore up couples. There are tangible ways, like bringing meals and offering a morning a month of free child care. I try to link up mentors with younger couples who may need a steady voice to counteract the loud ones on the media. There are these daily nuggets that some folks swallow like multi vitamins. And I pray.

 

One of the kick backs of all these initiatives is that it sweetens my own relationships, with John and other people I love. Funny how there is enough light and warmth to go around, once you open the doors to compassion. 

 

 

Photo by Joy Feerrar

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