In Sickness and In Health

November 8th, 1975. The vows were traditional. I promised-

I, Lydia, take you Gerry, to be my husband, to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do us part.

Our honeymoon was skiing at Mammoth Mountain. My husband was an accomplished water skier. Teaching him to take his skills and send him down a mountain on the first weekend with snow that year- Gerry had amazing balance. I have never, before or since, seen anyone go so far, so fast, so out of control- yet remain upright. How we kept out of the emergency room that year is proof that God watched over us in the exuberant days of early wedded bliss.

 Mammoth Mountain became a place with special memories when the sons that followed- Trevor and Kenny - were potty-trained on the slopes before they were 3. My theory is that wet diapers are extremely cold.

 Over the past 36 years, Gerry and I have celebrated our anniversary any number of ways. Trips to Knotts Berry Farm, Disneyland, hunting with the in-laws, Pop Warner Fundraisers, the Diamond Bar Community Foundation Gala, a surprise trip to Europe.  

November 08, 2011

This year topped them all.

Our anniversary was spent at Saint Jude's Hospital in Fullerton.

There began a trip back to good health for my husband. 

This is the part where I get to share a thought quite treasonous for a writer to her profession.  I confess: I cringe at the Julie/ Julia blog turned book turned movie project. I pity people caught in  reality-they-are- not programs. Though some of the TV projects are visually quite attractive if you turn the yakking off, there is a value popular culture does not comprehend.

It is privacy. There are times when one is best quiet. The writer is not nearly so important as the people we write about. 

Now is the time to catch my breath. Drink in our family's moment of great fortune. Very shortly my husband will be back off to the profession he was called to when he was 10.  I will return to my garden and my glass.  For as long as God allows, all is to be well. Praise Him.

Not everyone is so lucky. Tonight I learned, members of a family we know were on a road trip.  There was an accident. Understanding the oncoming danger of an out-of-control truck, the driver turned the family's vehicle, saving the lives of his two passengers at the expense of his own.

In the face of tragedy, only the peace of God can transcend grief.

The flower image is by Gene Sasse. More info to follow.