Monday, October 20, 2008

Age Creates Beauty--and the First Magnificent Monday Contest!

Sometimes God passes me notes in class. I was walking through a plant nursery with David, this scene caught my eye. I ran back to my car to grab my camera. (Being a scrapbooker has trained me well!) Okay, so maybe the original meaning was “foliage creates beauty,” but I think God wanted me to get this message: “Age creates beauty.” That’s really more like it, right?

This last week David and I celebrated our 25th wedding anniversary. Being the two wild animals we are, we went to IHOP. He ordered the crepes and I had pancakes. While we waited for our order, I spotted two state troopers at a nearby table. I went over, introduced myself and my profession, and asked about their firepower. As a result, one of them showed me his TASER, which charged with this HUGE crackling sound. David says the whole restaurant came to a screeching halt. I didn't notice. I was enthralled.

The server put our food on the table, wagged a finger at me and asked David, "Is that YOUR wife?"

Yep. And David thought it was funny, really funny.

I love him. My husband is a great guy. I don’t know how I could love him more. He’s my best friend. Every morning when I come down the stairs, he pauses and does this silly little head-cocked grin at me. “Who goes there?” he says. And we both laugh. It's our ritual. Of course he knows who the sleepy-head is. Guilty!

Then he fixes me coffee--with his latte machine that weighs a ton and sounds like a jet plane-- and we begin our day. The rituals of our life set my course, starting each new day with familiarity and love.

It’s been 25 years. Hard to believe. We’ve changed some since our wedding. I’m thicker around the middle, and I can see my face aging. He tells me that I'm beautiful. His hair is turning silver at the temples and he has crinkles around his eyes, which I love. I’m happy about those changes. I married a young man and now I live with a grown-up man. He’s all the world to me. He’s the first person I call when something good happens, and when I need advice (which he’s full of!), and when I need help. To me, he’s like the oak tree at the bottom of our hill…as the years go on, he seems stronger and more stately. (And maybe, well, we’re both a little nuts.)

He’s the most loyal person I’ve ever met.

He knows me better than anyone else does. And he loves me anyway.

The sign was right: Age creates beauty. I am thankful for the years we’ve had together, and I hope to be blessed with many, many more.

Magnificent Mondays CONTEST!

The Magnificent Mondays Contest starts TODAY! Remember, since this is the third Monday of the Month, one lucky person posting a comment can win a prize. In keeping with the season, our prize will be a copy of The Wheels of Darkness, a spooky thriller by Douglas Preston and Lincoln Child. Want to enjoy a shiver up your spine? Post a comment today and maybe you'll win! Tell your friends and maybe they'll share!

And check out my personal blog http://joannaslan.blogspot.com/ I'll be writing about my year as a debut author PLUS offering cool prizes there as well. It's also the place to track my appearances--virtual and in the flesh.

Next Monday I'll tell you about the wolf sanctuary I visited on Bays Mountain, near Kingsport, Tennessee. (I had a howling good time!)

13 comments:

Monica Ferris said...

It's interesting to watch people age. Some do it so beautifully, their faces change but remain interesting and lively. Everywhere we go, everything we do, everything that happens to us leaves a mark -- no, that's not right. It's how we react to everything that leaves the marks. There's a saying to the effect that our face at twenty-five is the one God gave us, while our face at sixty is the one we give ourselves.

anne said...

What a wonderful and inspiring post today. It is great to read about enduring and loving marrriages. It brightened my day and made me appreciate life. I am also fortunate to be in a meaningful and long lasting marriage. Best of luck in your writing and marriage.

ellie said...

Thanks for this delightful subject today. It is gratifying to know that there are others who are happy in their relationship. I have been married for 38 years. We married young and have endured many trials and tribulations. When you know that your soulmate is there for you nothing else matters.

pwl said...

It's so wonderful to have found your soulmate. I met mine 20 years ago, and next Monday we celebrate our 18th wedding anniversary. He thinks I'm wonderful, and I know he is! As your husband is for you, he's always there for me, and I can't imagine a day without him. So here's to soulmates and true love! (And the age and wisdom to recognize them.) :)

Joanna Campbell Slan said...

It's so important to remember that some marriages DO work...especially in a culture when so many don't.

Penny Poo said...

This is the nicest article I've read in a long time. Two people who still love each other and yes with AGE comes beauty.
Thank you so much for sharing. You've help me think a bit brighter today.

Joanna Campbell Slan said...

Proof positive we can age beautifully...allow me to introduce you to Valerie Ramsey, who is 68 years old.

http://www.valerieramsey.com/

I met her this weekend, and she's as beautiful on the inside as she is on the outside.

diane said...

When I read your lovely and entertaining post it lifted my spirits. I have been married for 3 years but believe that what you said sums it up beautifully. Thank you.

pearl said...

Thank you for that special and unique message. A soulmate is to be cherished and treasured. I knew that when I met my husband many years ago and am grateful each and everyday for his support and love.

Joanna Campbell Slan said...

It's too easy to focus on the negative, and to forget to say, "I love you."

I had David read my post after he made my coffee, and he was surprised and delighted.

You know, psychologists have found that public declarations of our feelings strengthen them. Maybe we should all mark our calendars and find more public ways to say we're happy with our life choices.

Betty Hechtman said...

I enjoyed your post along with all the comments. I liked Monica's comment about the face we give ourselves.

I can't believe it, but I've been married 38 years.

Joanna Campbell Slan said...

Gosh, Betty, that's fantastic.

Joanna Campbell Slan said...

We have a winner! I put all your names into a small hat and David drew one...

Diane, you won the Magnificent Monday contest.

Please email me your full name and postal address at savetales@aol.com

Stay tuned for more contests.