What a night to get engaged!

(My granddaughter and her boyfriend have talked about marriage for quite some time but they had never firmed up their promise. So Devon decided to surprise her with an engagement ring while they were in Savannah on a weekend trip. Libby had no idea about the ring.   After Devon's surprise they traveled back to their hotel. Opening the door they found a room full of friends and relatives. Gayle and I could not go but Leslie, Libby's mother asked me if I would write a letter to be read that evening. Libby's sister, Natalie read my words that night.)

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 Dear Libby and Devon--Gayle and I are sorry we  couldn't be with you to share with joy on this special night. But  we are with you in spirit counting on all the days after day that holds so much promise. 

There is an old book called Crossing to Safety in which the author reminds us that there is no way that any of us can cross the choppy waters to safety alone. We have to have somebody with us. And this is really why you are here to remember how much we all need each other and how powerful for us to hold on to somebody else as they hold on to us too. 

And you all have been together long enough to know of all the people out there you two have decided this is the person that you want to help you get through all the choppy waters. And they will be there swirling a lot of times in your lives. 

Any relationship of two people is having a hard time today. But to one day you will stand there, holding hands and looking into each other’s eyes. And you will pledge and you will both promise. 

This will be a holy ground and there are days when your cups will be filled and running over. And there will be dark days when the waters will be so choppy that you will wonder if your little boat will make it through the stormy weather which comes when you least expect it. 

So your marriage will be like a trip and a journey. There will be ups and downs. There will be pot holes and sometimes you all might just run out of gas. But so many days you will look out and hear birds that sing, and so sky so beautiful you can’t say anything. And you will move along. Why? Because of hope. That this partner that holds your hand will help you both through whatever comes.

I saw a cartoon one time in which this old couple sit at their kitchen table and look at each other. And she says: “Do you know what 30 years of marriage adds up to? 22,000 scrambled eggs, 4,680 loads of laundry, 10,950 beds made, 30,000 cups of coffee, 60 trips to the dentist…”

Yep—she is right but also those years hold so, so much more. For love is really is a many splendored thing that  keeps us going. And that means there is so much more to this “I do” that any of us realize.

One of my favorite love stories goes like this:

“It is something…it can be everything—too have found a fellow bird with whom you can sit among the rafters while the drinking and the boasting and reciting and fighting go on below; a fellow bird whom you can look after and find bugs and seeds for; one who will patch your bruises and straighten your ruffled feathers and mourn over your hurts when you accidentally fly into something you can’t handle.”

My, my what a night of hopes and dreams galore!   —from Grandpa July 20, 2023

--Roger Lovette / rogerlovette.blogspot.com

July Fourth 2023 is a Strange Anniversary

 

On this July 4th I look out my window where flags wave up and down the street. It’s quiet. But fireworks tonight will lighten the whole place. But outside our peaceful bubble chaos seems to reign. Whatever our persuasion most of us know the dreams of all those who fought, prayed, loved and worked through the years are not so clear this Anniversary day. 

You’ve probably heard this quote. When he emerged from Constitution Hall, Benjamin Franklin was recognized by a woman who asked of him “What kind of government are you giving us?” “A republic, Madam, if you can keep it.” And it looks right now that many of us are worried about keeping this wonderful land and all its promise. 

What are we going to do? Just watch the terrible news that will not stop. Or just be depressed. Tune out and just think of personal stuff or anything, anything like videos, sports, reading and shopping. Anything to escape from all this chaos. Maybe we can just stay angry and be furious with all these on the other side of the divide.

I have been reading John Meacham’s wonderful book about Lincoln. And There Was Light. He tells the Lincoln story in a powerful way. How could a man called Abe with almost no resources became the marvelous leader of our country in the terrible days of the civii war. 

I think maybe Mr. Meacham was thinking about us and our time as well as Lincoln. The country was so divided. The issue was slavery and the lines were so drawn. And war they lived through reminds me of where we are. I know people are talking about shredding the Constitution, longing for someone that can fix all of this.

As Lincoln began to talk about the wrongness of slavery he had an uphill struggle to get to the Presidency. And there were assassination whisperings everywhere. And there was a large group that decided even though Mr. Lincoln was elected, many would make sure the Electoral College went their way. They put every roadblock in his path that even though he was chosen by the people—this group was determined that Lincoln would never serve a day as President. And even when he did the hatred he endured would finally take his life.

Sound familiar? We have been here before. Again and again. And these folk that want to hide behind that silly word, woke would erase our history and ignore our dark side.  But this is where we are with our fears and rage and hope and dreams.

I have a lot of dark days as I think of this July 4th. But Meacham’s book reminds me we have been here many times. Terrible things did happen. But somehow we endured. Not pollyanna style but with the stubborn hope that that light that goes all the way back to 1776 would not be extinguished.

So here all are. In the same boat. Like it or not. And I do believe like the blacks and immigrants and so many others we might just overcome again some day.

Dear God, help us to keep our Republic.

--Roger Lovette / rogerlovette.blogspot.com