Musings of the Chronologically Challenged™ Fourth Generation

 
THE BEST DAY OF MY LIFE

August 30, 1953 was the best day of my life. It was a Sunday in the heat of August -- much like now, but with no air conditioning! It was the day I walked down a church aisle to be married to the most wonderful man I would ever know.

Kind, handsome, playful spirit, strong, manly, athletic, a smile that would light up a room, and a Southern gentleman of the highest caliber. Any superlative one could think of could be his epitaph. His honesty, integrity, fairness and dependability must be noted too. He was the definitive "good man" that is so hard to find.

Much is said today about children having children. We were children having children too, but with the benefit of a marriage certificate and a stable, happy home. If it sounds like an idyllic dream, it should. Because it was. All the happiness of my adult life was directly attributable to the boy who became a man after we were married.

He took the responsibilities of fatherhood at a very young age (22) right in his stride. His fun-loving relationship with his children was somewhat unique for the times, and that facet of his persona brought me great happiness. What mother would not love and appreciate such a father for her children? His reputation as a fun and fair daddy was so well known in the neighborhood that when fathers came home from work in the afternoon, their kids would be at our house, waiting for a pick-up ball game or whatever playful adventure our kids' dad would lead them in that day. He was never too tired to play with his children and their friends. He was the Pied Piper of children. His own child-like spirit would immediately connect with even the most withdrawn child.

"Empty Nest Syndrome?" Forget it. When our nest emptied, we were still young enough to enjoy each other and each day as a new opportunity for experiencing life's blessings. We often talked about the long life we expected to have together, since we had married so young. We planned on celebrating our 60th wedding anniversary. He planned on living to be 108 because he had calculated that he would have to live that long to get back all the Social Security he had paid in his life! He fully intended to "show the government" that they wouldn't make a profit on his unclaimed SS funds. That was a comedic sore point with him. We laughed about it many times.

Today would have been our 52nd Anniversary. He missed our party, but he is with me every day. The years we didn't have together were compensated for by the love and happiness we did have while we were together. Sadly, too many people never see a glimpse of such life fulfillment. That sustains me in my moments of missing him.

Happy Anniversary, Sweet Prince.
posted by HCL at 11:22 AM