EN(dur)ANCE by Robin Gudal

 

Greggy and I have had a good handful of anniversaries — 37 to be exact as of last summer. That seems crazy! That’s a lot, especially for someone who doesn’t feel old enough to be married that long. With that many you will have a few that are mediocre; that is reality.

I had one disappointing one; Greggy had to work all day and late into the night, so we decided to have pie at an open-all-night restaurant. Can you believe it; they ran out of pie moments before midnight? We were disappointed and claimed a re-do anniversary that year.

One of the best celebrations was for our 25th, as our children gifted us with a 25-year dream of taking a cruise. It was all I dreamed of and more! We have had many amazing moments together and I look forward to many more.

A few years ago, we started an anniversary tradition. We decided to go to Red Lobster with some very dear people in our lives. They had been married over 50 years and I always thought they where amazing and knew a little about them; but I also knew they had more insight and wisdom to share. We went three times. This past year came and went, and we didn’t get together. We did talk about it; we just didn’t get it done.

Many years ago, our family dog died. I have a vivid memory of my dad sitting on the steps of the wooden stairs, steps Charlie had leaped up many times in the years he was our man’s best friend — the sixth (furry) child of the Beckman family. Today, I witnessed the same scene, only it was my hubs — a bit reminiscent.

“He heals the brokenhearted and binds up their wounds.” Psalm 147:3 NIV

As I rounded the corner this morning, Greggy was in the same position as my dad, years ago. Broken up with emotion, and sadness sitting on the steps. It was a sentimental moment. Our friend had been ill, he was elderly and lived a good life; he had put a note in his billfold of people for his children to call when he went home to be with Jesus. Greggy was on his list. He was one of the good ones, as the saying goes. When we attended the visitation, his son commented on how much it meant that we chose to celebrate our anniversaries with them. Those were good anniversaries! God is so good, as quoted by our dear friend Cliff.

Robin (Beckman) Gudal, intentional in life, is a wife, momma, nana, friend, and a flawed and imperfect follower of Jesus.