Marriage Moats-Ice Saber

Published: Wed, 12/08/10

Marriage Moats

Caring for Marriage

What is it about little boys and fighting? My own sons have long been creating makeshift weapons, since their pathetic mom won't buy them any. The puzzle piece of Oklahoma made a handy gun, as did a slice of toast nibbled in just the right places.

I took my preschool class to the thrift store and magnanimously invited them to each buy anything they wanted for a dollar. Little did I know that recently there was a generous donation of plastic guns and swords, priced for quick sale at fifty cents a piece. Within minutes I was surrounded by salivating, fully armed four year olds, looking up at me with pleading eyes.

"Can we buy these, pleeease Mrs. Lori?" they begged.

Well, I had said they could buy anything in the store, and I had never actually polled their mothers for their positions on gun control, so I acquiesced.

Just then an innocent bystander walked in the front door of the thrift store and was instantly surrounded, guns trained at his head.

I leaped over the gaggle of little girls, who were selecting from the display of beany babies, and pulled off my army from the stranger.

"I am so sorry, sir. But don't worry, the guns are not loaded. Down, boys."

I resisted the urge to mention that I represent the Bryn Athyn Preschool, and that if he by chance has a four year old we do have openings in the spring.

I have wanted to suggest to the one who created little boys that in future models He might alter the DNA to override this nasty tendency to crave battle.

But then I think of the husbands whose marriages are under attack.

John and I have seen relationships besieged by deceit, addiction, infidelity, and financial pressure. It is in the midst of that mortal fray that I hope with all my heart that the warrior spirit will emerge in this grown up little boy. I pray that those husbands can conjure up the memories of whacking with wooden swords, zapping with pretend ray guns, and flailing imaginary enemies.

I want to scream, "Now is the time to fight! The life of your marriage depends on it."

Photo by Andy Sullivan