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03/22/2017
Dr. Laura:
My maternal grandparents were both 20 years old when they wed in 1916. They journeyed through this life together for 69 years until my grandfather's death at the age of 89. My grandmother forged ahead and died two months shy of her 96th birthday. Though their worldly possessions were meager, they enjoyed a wealth of love for each other, as well as high regard and respect from their friends and community. They reared nine children through great hardships, which included the Depression, a flood, the Dust Bowl, and two world wars.
Even so, because they were farmers, good food was always to be had. They raised or grew just about everything they ate. I've often thought that because they were so busy working hard they had no time for distractions or petty annoyances and grievances. All nine of their children married and none ever divorced, which is quite a remarkable feat today. Whatever came their way, these two beloved people endured together and were steadfast. This example of what real marriage means is still celebrated today as our extended families come together every two years for a family reunion in their honor. We always make sure their photographs are displayed, so those who came after will know of them in some small way.
All but two of their children are gone now. One of those remaining is my mother, who is 82 years old. She instilled in all four of her daughters the same value system with which she was raised. There were no "shack-ups" before marriage and no out-of-wedlock pregnancies in our family. My own parents are celebrating their 65th wedding anniversary this year, and my husband and I will be married 41 years this year as well. The legacy of my grandparents, Carrie and Herman, endures!
Rachel
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