Perfect love is perfect self-forgetfulness.
Hence where there is love in a home,
unselfishness is the law.
Each forgets self and lives for others.
—J.R. Miller
When you have hard times and all others are gone,
I will be there when the troubles have come.
Through sunshine or rain, when no help can be found,
Things may seem hopeless but just look around!
I’ll be there to the end with you,
I’ll do my best to be faithful and true,
Through the hardest of days we will choose the right way.
My commitment I’ll prove,
Yes, I will be loyal to you.
Lyrics: R. Greenlaw
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=lEFX55nRGMQ
Song: I Will Be Loyal to You
Photo: 60th Wedding Anniversary Family Party
Just a few weeks ago, another memorable date passed by on the calendar with very little fanfare, calls, or cards, but with much more meaning than any of us could ever know.
Mary and I desired to distract Mom, to help her fight back tears by getting her out of the house. It was still a sensitive and somber day for her as she reminisced and remembered her wedding day and blessed marriage to Dad.
~~~~~
They married 67 years ago on July 9, 1955.
They celebrated their 65th and last anniversary together quietly in the lockdown seclusion (2020) of their home just a few short weeks before he left. They talked together of God’s faithfulness to them, remembering many tender mercies and wonderful providences, babies, events, friendships, and innumerable blessings they enjoyed as a family.
Since Dad’s departure, Mom has exclaimed how miraculous and providentially timed it was that they met the evening of her high school graduation.
Dad returned to his south Georgia home while on military leave before he departed the states for his next overseas assignment. His younger brother, Mom’s classmate, also graduated, so Dad participated in some of the after graduation festivities, where he first saw and then eventually met Mom. Dad’s eyes were captured by her at their formal Senior night in Waycross on the arm of Dad’s tall cousin. “She was wearing a ballerina dress.” The night following the graduation, he ran into her and his cousin, Barbara Jean, Mom’s close friend. Barbara Jean asked Dad if he’d allow them to use his car to drive to Waycross to see a movie. He didn’t hesitate and stated, “Sure, as long as I am the designated driver.” Barbara Jean grabbed a friend, and …the rest is “His-story”.
Dad recorded in his autobiography that Mom left for a two week Senior trip soon thereafter, which limited his ability to schedule dates. When she returned they had six dates before he left for England. They agreed to stay in touch by writing and from there, their friendship continued to blossom.
Within a period of a few short weeks, Dad realized he wanted to marry Mom, so he wrote to her dad and asked for his blessing to propose via Airmail. After he received her “Yes”, he then purchased and forwarded an engagement ring…
but not without some concern and agonizing delay.
The neatly packaged ring was addressed and entrusted to a comrade who left to return home to the states for four weeks of leave. That comrade was to make sure the ring was mailed to Mom once he arrived, but… he forgot the engagement ring was tucked away down deep in his bag. <horrors>
Sooo it didn’t get delivered to her as quickly as Dad desired, but in the time, as ordained by the LORD, four weeks later, the engagement ring finally made it’s way to Mom. They were officially and excitedly engaged!
Many letters crossed the ocean between them, steadily within a year’s time. A wedding date was set, a church sanctuary secured, plans were in the making, and Dad did indeed return to the states before they married that hot July day! ❤️
~~~~~
This July 9th anniversary was Mom’s second without Dad, and it was no less sore as her first.
Mom treasures their last anniversary memories together filled with much praise and gratitude to the LORD for many meaningful memories they rehearsed.
65 years is a long time to live with someone you are endeared to love by God’s covenantal communion, steadfast love, and sustaining grace.
He was and continues to be Faithful, especially now to Mom as a widow!
We are thankful to remember and continue to celebrate our parents’ faith and self-forgetting love for one another and our family.
They loved because He first loved them!
1 John 4:19
I’m thankful their marriage was rooted and built up on the steadfast love and redeeming work of Christ in their lives. Both were saved and discipled in their faith before they married, and together they continued through their growing faith as they grew to know and love Christ more. They lived their lives with a loyal love to one another and our family through many years!
Thank you, LORD!!
Photos:
1-Mom and Dad cutting their 60th wedding anniversary cake.
2-The receipt for the engagement ring Dad purchased for Mom in London, England.
3-Wedding photo of Mom and Dad eith their parents, Roy and Thelma Blocker Boren, Mom and Dad, and Maude Harris and W.A. Cleland, Jr.
