This rambling pertains to relationships; a subject of which I have received no formal
training, education or would even consider myself well read. My opinion carries no more
authority than one substantiated by Chinese fortune cookies. With that disclaimer, let me
begin by saying that during your life, you have the opportunity to establish a relationship
with many people, places or things. Three are of paramount importance.

Number one is your relationship with Jesus Christ. What you do for eternity is affected
by this, and since eternity is a fairly long time, it is a good idea to expend a little energy
developing this relationship. Have you?

Number three is your relationship with your family. Just as it is impossible to un-slam a
door, you have zero influence on your ancestors but you can have enormous impact on
your descendents. Never pass up the opportunity to instill the values of faith, family and
freedom in your lineage. Recent generations have forgotten our great American
experiment was founded on these principles. You be the one to revitalize these truths in
your family tree.

Number two is your relationship with your spouse. I intentionally saved the most
complex for last. Purposely like baptism, this relationship begins with a vow before God,
your family and friends, to love and honor, in sickness and in health, in good times and
bad, until you part at death. The words have meaning.

Contrary to the advice from Hollywood counselors, the sacred union of marriage is far
more important than the needs of either spouse individually. The whole is far greater
than the sum of the parts if you commit all you have to your marriage. If you do this,
before long, life just isn’t right unless the two of you are together. Now together might
mean sharing the same leaking wall tent or just sitting in the bleachers watching one of
your kids in a sporting event. You don’t have hear, see or touch your spouse to know
they are there. You just know. Life doesn’t seem right when they are not around.

Fifty or sixty years later, if you have made such a commitment, is when it gets tough.
When God calls one of you home and you gently cradle her fingers, and look into her
eyes to say goodbye; it will be the hardest moment of your life. But you see it is the hard
that makes it good. No one said it would be easy; only worth it.

August 19th, 1979, I stared into the dark brown eyes of a carpenter’s daughter, took her
hand and pledged my life to hers. Last Wednesday was our anniversary. That morning at
4:15, my alarm clock prodded me out of bed and I slowly awakened to another day. In a
slumber, I staggered to the kitchen to retrieve two cups of coffee. Upon returning, I sat on
her side of the bed and gently placed her coffee cup on her nightstand. I quietly smiled as
the lumps begin moving under the covers and then all of a sudden, just like every
morning for the past thirty years, she was there. I cherish every second we have together
and thank God for the blessing of a trophy wife. Do you?