Sunday…June 16, 2013…just another day in Paradise?

Actually, no.  It is much more than that.  I don’t normally post on the weekends so this day, June 16th, would pass by into insignificance-of just another day in the summer vacation mode-EXCEPT I can’t let it pass.  You might be reading this later in the evening of this day.  You may not be reading this until Monday.  I can’t say you may not be reading this at all because…well…you know.  🙂

June 16, 2013 is a special day for me.

Today, Jo & I celebrate our 40th anniversary.  

(Cheers allowed.  Money is better).  Just kidding, of course.   It is not hard for me to express my thoughts to her, but it is surprisingly difficult for me to put into words what I want to say.  So I won’t.  🙂  Many use their blogs to promote their marriages and anniversaries (and I have no trouble with that).  I believe woman ought to be honored.  I believe they ought to be fought for.  I believe men ought to be warriors for their wives and children.  But I, much to my shame, lived many of those years for myself.  I loved Jo.  I loved my girls with all of my being.  But way too often I loved with an eye toward what others would see.  I wanted people to be impressed by me.

I finally had my eyes opened when I read Wild at Heart and its “motto”: “Every man has a battle to fight; and adventure to live; and a beauty to rescue.”  I began to realize my life was not to be lived for me and how it reflects upon me.  Ultimately, it is to be lived for HIM, but practically it is to be fleshed out in living my life for Jo and my girls in unconditional love.   Truthfully, it has been Jo who has fleshed out unconditional love more than I have.

SO, TO YOU…THE LOVE OF MY LIFE…THANK YOU FOR 40 YEARS. 

 Ironically, my 40th anniversary is also my 38th year as a father.  One of the blessings of living with Jo has been the gift of two wonderful girls who call me “Dad.”  Tami and Janna have been a true “light to my eyes.”  I know there are many who are childless and want them so bad.  I feel for them, but can’t say I understand their pain.  What I do know is the joy my girls have given me.  Janna does not have a blog so I can’t direct you to hers.  But Tami does and she wrote a wonderful one from her heart here.  I hope you will take the time to read it.  I am so proud of her and what she is accomplishing with her life and what God is doing in her.  I am equally proud of Janna, who is now director of a daycare.  She and her husband Jason are also the parents of Braden, our six year old grandson, aka “The Human Tornado.”  🙂

Thanks for letting me talk about my blessings.  Thanks for reading.  What do you have to be thankful for?