Courtesy

We must choose to be courteous, and develop the discipline of courtesy each day. 

We do not  stumble into being a gentleman or lady. 

The home that has no time for courtesy will always have time for rudeness. 

The home that does not take time for compliments will always have time for complaints. 

The home that has no time for smiles will always have time for frowns. 

And the home that has not time for sweet, loving words will always find time for harsh, critical words.                                                           Morris Chalfant

The picture shows my husband and his sister on their grandpa’s lap.  They loved climbing over him and playing with him.  Recently Curt said, “I can still smell my Grandpa – a mixture of sweat, pipe tobacco, aftershave and pasture.”

Another Anniversary – 28!

                      1978, in the back of our little pickup

                                earlier this year, 2006

I recently came across my wedding vows.  We married in the seventies when creeds and traditions were replaced with personalized vows (not an even exchange I willingly admit today).  All the weddings we attended before our own had self-written vows. Two phrases I distinctly remember were “I promise not to grow flabby physically, emotionally or spiritually,”  and, from a bride to her musical and moody groom: “When you are unable to hear the music, I will play it back to you.” Here’s what I promised on July 1, 1978:

Curt, I love you very much. 

Because Jesus lives in me, I am committing my life to you today, wholly and without reservation. 

I will give myself to you fully as your wife, your best friend, and your lover. 

I will love and cherish you, honor and obey you, respect and trust you, and submit to you as my husband. 

I will pray for you each day of my life. 

I will look to the Lord as my source of strength and of joy and will always thank Him for the gift He’s given to me in you, Curt. 

In abundance and in need, in sickness and in health, in success and in failure I will stay close to your side until the Lord comes or takes me home with Him.

      
      A cord of three strands is not quickly torn apart.  Ecclesiastes 4:12