What happens when one lives with a person, and loves that person for 31 years?
I think about that a lot these days. I have been married to my wife Karen for over half my life.
I love my wife. She is the only lover I’ve had, or, I ever hope to have.
I think I am too dependent on her though–I depend on her quiet strength. Good sense. Steady hand. She never exaggerates, never panics. I do. I worry about a lot things. I panic all the time. I worry about paying the bills. I worry about our kids. And grandchildren. I think she does too–but why doesn’t she act worried?
I think she prays a lot. She tells me that I can’t worry about things and pray about them at the same time. But I try to do that (I confess). But she is right you know.
Karen drives an 8 year old Subaru with 100,000+ miles. She deserves a Mercedes Benz. I don’t think she will have one though. Quite frankly she would give any extra money she has to one of her prayer causes.
She loves to shop. To shop for the grandchildren. Never for herself. She shops in outlets. She always has. It is in her nature.
We are not poor, by any standards. But she is a warrior. And she grasps life with temperance and passion–both at the same time. She shops in outlets. She is a homeschool mom. She gathered our inter-racial family, special needs family, around her, and changed all our histories, really.
We are both old now, I guess. She is gray and so am I. But, believe me when I tell you that there is enough fire in my eyes yet, in my soul, to tell you honestly, she is, and always will be, the uncontested love of my life.
Our marriage verse is, and I pray it now, Psalm 34:3–Magnify the Lord with me! Let’s praise 7 his name together!
Write me. jim@forsuchatimeasthis.com.