The Beginning of Fifty More Years

We are all in this journey of life together.

Yesterday was our 49th wedding anniversary. On July 31, 1972, Cat and I stood before a Justice of Peace and vowed to stay together, “from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer or for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, ‘til death do us part.”

We have experienced all those things, having been homeless for five months with five children and now living in a beautiful house, having lost a home with everything in it to fire and getting back up on our feet; having weathered storms of doubt and confusions and now facing the loss of Cat’s health. We have seen God’s faithfulness through it all. Yet, there have been many times over this last challenging year that I asked myself, “Did I sign up for this?”

And then, I think of those wedding vows and I answer myself, “Yes. I did. And if things were reversed Cat would be there for me.”

We had no big wedding, not even one photograph to mark our special day, but the words of our wedding vows burned themselves into our souls.

Since that time, Cat and I gave our lives over to our faithful Creator Redeemer. In doing so, we added a new line to our vows. Not only do we pledge ourselves to each other “til death do us part,” but we pledge our love throughout eternity. For we believe that nothing is less in Heaven. It is always more. So our love for each other will be even stronger there.

Yesterday, Cat understood that we were celebrating 49 years legal and 50 years together, but he wasn’t able to convey much more than a nod. Earlier in the month, he had a stroke which left him unable to communicate more than a word or two. At first, he couldn’t dress or feed himself. Being the warrior man he is and a faithful man of God, he has worked hard to regain all that is possible. He is also battling dementia, which means we are both navigating new territory and new challenges to our vows.

I am happy to say that overall, we are learning that God is faithful above all things. I have been very weak, often acting like a crybaby and feeling very alone. Yet God reminds me that I am not alone, He is with me and we have many friends and family members who care. And my husband is still with me, perhaps not in the same way as before, but I’m learning to cherish moments instead of expecting hours or days. And I have a sure hope and future of eternity with my beloved Cat Man. I am also learning to be thankful for the half century we have enjoyed together on planet Earth. I am blessed to have found my soul mate and best friend early on.

So now I am working from home. I cannot set specific hours and I refuse to leave my husband alone. I am thankful for the opportunity to share our story and our art with you while still being able to be here for my beloved husband.

Please let me know which pieces of art touch your soul.