In Sickness and in Health

On Sunday this couple, Jewel and Dave, will celebrate their fortieth wedding anniversary, a significant relationship milestone by any standards. This my not come as a huge shock but they have changed since this photo, as we all do over the decades.

Jewel and Dave's circumstances are unusual though, because a photograph today would show Dave in a wheelchair, as he has been for more than a decade. He went rather quickly from being a robust man, in a trade which required physical activity to learning how to negotiate life without the use of his legs.

Dave has admitted to me that he was not an easy guy to live with in those early years as a paraplegic, but over time he has changed, and I have certainly seen it. There have been a couple of occasions through the years when we wondered whether his serious health issues were leading him toward death's doorstep, so we had some deeply meaningful conversations about living with appreciation for each day, as well as our mortality.

Dave is open in expressing his deep gratitude for Jewel's support "in sickness and in health," along with her practical love and the love of other members of the family.

On Sunday say a prayer for this couple as they celebrate these years together. They deserve our admiration.

Thoughts?