I’ve lived long enough to realize that things usually go their own way.
I may want something to go one way, but eventually, it all boils down to going the other way.
This month, wife Martha, The Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage and I, will celebrate our 53rd year of marital bliss. I can’t believe we’ve been married that long, but that’s exactly what she told me.
And she is never wrong — or at least, I never tell her when she’s wrong.
The only difficulties we’ve had have been with broccoli and apple fritters. She loves broccoli, and I love the fritters, and the two shall never sit at the same dinner table.
Just before we married, I told her how much I loved apple fritters. So I asked her rather bluntly, “When we get married will I be able to eat apple fritters?”
Looking at me with a smile, she said, “Oh, my dear. You can have an apple fritter every single day.”
It wasn’t until a couple of months ago that I reminded her of this.
“Don’t you remember,” I said, “that you said I could have an apple fritter every single day?”
Laughing, she looked at me and thoughtfully said, “How many single days have you had since you were married?”
It took me a little while to understand what she was saying. That’s just the way it was, so get used to it, I said to myself.
After being married as long as I have, I understand you don’t always get everything you want. That’s just not the way life works.
As a teenager, I thought I could get everything I wanted. After all, the commercial said, “You deserve a break today.” You can always believe a commercial.
Last month, I celebrated my 73rd birthday, and as I look back on my life, the one thing I’m grateful for is that I didn’t get everything I thought I deserved. Oh boy, what would my life be like today if that really happened?
Today, I wouldn’t have the energy to do what I was doing 50 years ago. I’m just glad I can do what I’m doing now at 73.
The other night, while watching TV, Martha and I were reminiscing about our family. We started 53 years ago, when all we had was each other.
Now, after 53 years of being together, we have three children, nine grandchildren, and this year, we acquired three great grandchildren.
Both of us sat back in our chairs, sighed deeply, and smiled. In reality, we had everything we need.
As I get older, I’m beginning to appreciate what I have.
I see what I have in front of me and I’m one happy geezer.
While thinking about this, a Bible verse came to mind.
“When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.”
— 1 Corinthians 13: 11
Reflecting on my life, there’s nothing I can change. I’m not sure what I would change if I could. What I can do is focus on the present since I can change going forward by acting like an adult.
Dr. Snyder is a former pastor who lives with the Gracious Mistress of the Parsonage, wife Martha, in Ocala, Fla. His email is [email protected].
