Sunday Reflection - 45 and Counting

Today, July 1, is our 45th anniversary.

This picture is the wedding photo for Betty's Dad and his new wife, Nita. Betty's brother Bill, his wife Noel and their son Galen are to the left. Then her Dad, Bill, and Nita, Betty's sister Margie, her brother Jim, Betty and me.

Betty's Dad and Nita were married the same year we were on October 7 after Betty and I were married on July 1, 1967.

Here are just a few facts about the year we were married:

• US Population in 1967: 198,712,056 (today: 313,000,000)
  
• Dow Jones high: 943 (12,879)
  
• Federal Spending: $157.46 Billion (6.3 trillion)
  
• Unemployment: 3.8% (8.2%)
  
• Cost of a New Home: $24,600.00 ($256,000)
  
• Gallon of milk: $1.03 ($3.79)
  
• Dozen eggs: $0.49 cents ($2.00)
  
• Gallon of gas: $0.33 cents ($3.89)
  
• Comic Books: $0.12 cents ($3.53)
  
• 5-stick pack of Gum: $0.05 cents ($1.49)
  
• First class stamp: $0.05 cents ($0.45)

1967 was a year of firsts - the first microwave was introduced by Amana, the game Twister went on sale for the first time and the game, Battleship, was first played.

Betty and I were just starting out on what was to be a grand adventure. We were 22 years old in the picture above. I was finishing my senior year in college at the University of Tennessee and Betty was teaching math.

As with most young adults we were living in the present. We had no idea I would spend four years in the Navy with two tours in Vietnam. We wanted kids and the dream came true in our two sons, Wade Daniel and Chris while I was in the Navy. We had no thoughts of wonderful daughters-in-law who would come or the terrific grandchildren we love and enjoy. The idea of living in New Mexico and riding horses was nowhere on our radar screen.

We only thought of wonderful things back then and couldn't envision being separated for months because of Naval service, Betty's father dying, the loss of a wonderful nephew to cystic fibrosis, cancer for me, accidents and illness for Betty and on and on.

Yet, all of this and more, good and bad, has made up the 45 years we have shared. These life events have shaped us as individuals and as a couple. We can't change the past and I don't think either of us would ever consider it even if we could.

The most wonderful thing of all that has changed our lives as individuals and as a couple is our devotion to Christ as our Lord and Savior starting in 1984. It's because of him that we now savor every day.

We don't know how long we have together as a couple on this earth, but we love every moment we share together. It has been and still is a great adventure.

Looking forward to 50, God willing.

 

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