"Will You Marry Me?"


It was the Fall of 1989. I was driving to the Bronx each weekend from Pennsylvania to visit Sarai. We were already planning to get married the following Summer, but then something happened. Sarai was staying with her brother, and he decided to move back to Puerto Rico. In response, we moved our wedding date up to December 24th and the wedding planning went into overdrive. 

The Bible says that, "He who finds a wife finds what is good and receives favor from the Lord," Proverbs 18:22. When I found my wife, I found a good thing.

Marriage can be a lot of work. Especially if you marry someone like me. Oh I try, but when it comes to being romantic I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed. But I sure do love and appreciate my wife, and I love knowing that she loves and appreciates me. Turns out my brother in law didn't move back to Puerto Rico, and we got married early anyway. That's ok though, because it gave me an extra 6 months with a woman I'd marry all over again.

The weather will soon be cooler. I'll be grateful for the aromas, flavors, and tastes of Fall. I'll also be grateful for the memories from 28 years ago when Sarai and I sped up the journey to spend the rest of our lives together.
My hair line is a little higher now with a few, shall we say, "silver highlights." My back's a little stiffer. There's a few lines around my eyes, and those eyes don't work as well as they did 28 years ago. But as I sit here with my pumpkin coffee thinking about life, I'm ready for the next 28 years.

Following The Son,

James A Williams

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

I Had What I Needed Today. I Always Do.

Image
Where’s the checkbook? I had searched high and low, and hadn’t been able to locate one. We rarely use checks for anything anymore, but I found myself in need of one. With my wife out of town I had called for some help. Sarai described to me where I would find them. In a red bag on top of a yellow bag under some sweaters beside the hamper in the spare bedroom. You may wonder why this is where we keep our checkbook. I may wonder why this is where we keep our checkbook. But after 28 years of marriage I’ve learned to not ask too many questions, and to stick primarily to nodding and smiling. I told her I loved her, followed the instructions, and soon had the checkbook in hand. Hmm? Next to the checkbook was a small blue folder that I immediately recognized. It’s where we keep our passports. I was a little surprised to find it here, because my wife was in Puerto Rico. You don’t need a passport to go to Puerto Rico, but my wife almost always carries hers with her when she travels. I
Read more

It’s My Turn To Be The Pop

Image
“ Children's children are a crown.” Proverbs 17:6 One year ago today my phone rang. I was looking forward to this call. “Hey, Dad. How are you?” “I’m alright.” (Standard response) He wasn’t alright. The cancer, chemo, and treatments had taken such a toll on him. This was Josiah’s birthday though. His first birthday. My Dad always called everyone in the family on their birthday and sang to them. He never missed anyone’s. It wasn’t pretty, and became a comical family joke yet we all looked forward to it.  I called for my son, Nathaniel, who brought his son, Josiah, over to the phone. I held the phone to Josiah’s ear and Nathaniel and I pressed in as we all listened to Dad sing. His voice was raspy and labored. Josiah’s eyes danced. Nathaniel and I smiled and laughed. Tears filled my eyes. He couldn’t stay on the phone long. He tired quickly and speaking was difficult. Josiah’s first time hearing his great grandfather sing Happy Birthday would also be his la
Read more

Christmas Reactions: A Look At The Responses To Jesus' Birth

Image
The reactions of children on Christmas morning can be priceless. The way their faces light up in response to the gifts, decorations, and lights communicates such wonder and awe. I have a grandson who is closing in on two. Sometimes when he sees things he literally gasps. So much of the world is still new to him. Just as I love a child's reaction, I love the reactions in the Christmas story to those who encountered the Christ child. The Bible uses specific words to describe many of the responses to seeing a baby unlike one they'd ever seen before, and the events surrounding his birth. Consider a few with me. Mary, " treasured ." (Luke 2:19) Mary so valued what was taking place that she "kept it in her heart." She would never forget these moments, and no doubt would draw strength from them later. Joseph, " marveled ." (Luke 2:33) From the beginning it had been too much to take in. He couldn't really wrap his brain around the m
Read more