A Wife for Life
Forty-six years ago on this day my aunt married her soul mate. As a child I have fond memories of spending time at their home along with my siblings. Today my children get to experience the same memorable moments as they themselves spend time at their home. Yesterday my uncle made a profound statement as we acknowledge their anniversary. “A man commits capital murder and gets 7 years, he marries a wife and gets life”. Although many of us laughed in agreement the statement left the rest of us thinking to ourselves. I’m not sure if I glanced at my spouse and said to myself “life”.
Marriages today have become complex in our society. To hear of couples lasting for 46 years together seems unheard of. Just by searching through social media alone you can determine if a person has separated from their significant other. You could see the happy beginnings, the children produced, the family vacations and in less than six years it starts all over again with another person. People exchanging people due to irreconcilable differences, according the court documents. Who is striving for life inside marriage? Who’s looking ahead to see what the future holds? Is this thing called marriage about to be extinct?
I could only speak for the patriarch and matriarch of our family. The mark they are leaving on our generation will hopefully be forever. As my own children witness this memorable moment they would somehow see themselves following the same path. They should see that their parents are striving for the same thing as they work together in raising a family. In all my years visiting my aunt and uncle we’ve never witness a harsh moment between them. We see them working together raising their children and now their grand children. This is a blessing for all to see and take note of. As we, my wife and I attempt to look into the future we hope to strive for longevity as well. Demonstrating that it does work and this will take life to see the fruit of ones labor.
As our generation tries to emulate this model of a long lasting marriage, we try to lay aside personal selfishness and pride in order to strive. So I ask myself the same question a wife for life? Yes I’ll take it for this world has nothing better to offer. In a recent challenge on social media we were asked to support our love for our family. I gladly accepted the challenge to share that my wife and four gems mean so much to me as a husband, father and leader. I credit our past generation for exemplifying great roll modeling for keeping the family first. Trusting God in all things we hope to instill our belief and faith to the next generation.
Happy Anniversary Oscar and Jean!!
