Marriage Moats-Insurance

Published: Thu, 03/08/12

Marriage Moats

Caring for Marriage

(If you want to hear Lori read the story click)here

One of the buoyant concerns that bobs up when parents of adult children compare notes is insurance. I was grateful when two of our grown children qualified to return to our plan, since their jobs did not provide it.

It is not merely the pessimists and hypochondriacs among us who scramble for coverage. Many people carve a slice out of every paycheck to invest in a physical health protection plan. Then they make regular appointments long before they succumb to pneumonia, to establish a baseline and build a relationship with their doctor. Even folks not inclined to extreme sports need occasional medical attention. Having a number to call in an emergency can save lives.

I wonder what our collective or personal back up plan for marriage is. Mike and Harriet McManus have created Community Marriage Policies which have proven to be effective in protecting marital longevity. Entire communities form a cohesive group who all agree to a treatment plan. These include premarital counseling, premarital inventories, regular follow up counseling, annual enrichment events and a rock solid mentoring program. The guidelines are parallel to what we routinely invest in our bodies. The results are irrefutable. But should we be shocked? Good medical care can transform a village hobbled by disease. Why would marital care be less effective?

I have never been tempted to cross the threshold of a medical school. I cannot even spell diarreah or menengitis. But I suspect that some physicians would prefer to mete out attention from birth, catching warning signs of a leaky heart valve or high blood pressure, rather than bring people back from the brink of cardiac arrest. Maybe not. There could be an adrenaline rush from crisis intervention and amputating a gangrenous limb. But acting downstream certainly affords more choices and less expense.

Creating a plan for routine marriage wellness can avert disaster. Having a number to call in an emergency can save hearts.

Photo by Joy Feerrar

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