Marriage Moats-Remind Me

Published: Fri, 08/17/12

Marriage Moats

Caring for Marriage

Sometimes I forget what I want to get done.

There is one small favor I do weekly. I drive a friend to work. I sign up a few days ahead, and then when the time comes, he reminds me. There are occasions when it is convenient, as I am headed that way anyway. More often though it is out of my way, or even an interruption. But I agreed to do it, and his text yanks me back to that promise.

Last fall I was in a spiritual growth group that offered weekly tasks. They were simple efforts to trust, and pray, and count my blessings. If there was a written reminder for it given out at church, I would plant it in a visible spot. There were days when it was completely convenient to be trusting, since everything was already headed my way. Other times the nap would be going in another direction. It takes more effort to believe, in the presence of uncertainty. But trust when your plate is full and your bank account is padded is not much to brag about.

I promised to love John in a myriad of conditions. When I said it, of course, the idea had not occurred to me that this could be difficult. Up until then it hadn't been. Yet I have sprinkled around me a constellation of placeholders of what I vowed to do. My wedding ring, the smiling pictures on the walls, the quotes embroidered and framed are all reminders of what I once consented to.

Their presence is the bridge back to remembrance.

Photo by Joy Feerrar

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