This Day

 June 6, 2022

D-Day, 1944, 78 years ago, Allied forces storm the beaches of Normandy, France, marking the beginning of the end of Hitler’s brutal Third Reich. More than 6,000 American and British men died on that dark day, paying the full price for freedoms we too often take for granted and are bit by bit squandering today.

It was a much brighter day 52 years ago when Linda and I stood face to face before our pastors, family, and friends, promising to “love, honor, comfort, and keep each other…till parted by death.” It was the beginning of an adventure in many ways every bit as challenging for us as that which stood before our men years before. We’ve had our battles, our victories and defeats. We’ve stormed the gates of hell together, forging a bond that has stood the test of time. 

We thought we knew love those many years ago, but the years have taught us so much that we look back with knowing glances and look ahead with the confidence born of half a century of commitment to a future as uncertain as we faced then. This afternoon, we had our anniversary lunch (the senior portions of lunchtime fare suit us at our age) after having bought more flowers and a coffee maker. Romantics that we are, we know how to party! I pulled some honey from my bees, we went to Bible study, and are now home, writing, thankful for the blessings we have known. Some didn’t seem like blessings at the time, but even the difficulties have had the touch of our Father’s hand. Few people have the privilege of celebrating 52 years together, so I give thanks tonight for the sweetness of the honeycomb, and the even greater sweetness of our marriage.