I introduced you to a friend of mine last time, my Pen-Friend for the past several years, who has spoken joy and wisdom into my life. One of the things I admire most about her is her understanding of marriage and what it means to actively love one another, through thick and thin.
Marnie has told me stories of her husband’s military deployments, their exciting times on trains as they relocated for military duty (sharing one cot instead of separate bunkbeds), and their years of raising a handful of children. After Don’s military service, they decided to find some sort of employment where they could work together, so they became head butler and head maid/cook for a mansion in Illinois (makes me think now of Bates and Anna from Downton Abbey – love it! Watch first 3 mins). They have experienced many adventures – some notable, some more in the mundane daily life – but their strong partnership is apparent.
When Jon and I first started dating, I sent her a photo of him, and below is her response. She’s a skilled illustrator and artist, so she tends to notice the details.
Ha! Love her enthusiasm (and she knows a looker when she sees one)! After all, he was a childhood model – that’s him on the right. 🙂
I digress…
Don’s health has declined over the past few years, and I cannot say how many times Marnie has counted it joy to take care of him. She thanks God for every day they have together, and when I have told her how great it is she is so willing to care for him (as not everyone would be glad for that task), she quickly responds with something like “He’s my love! This is just what we do. This is just a different stage in life, and I’m so thankful we are still here together. This too shall pass.” When Jon and I first married, she commented on the hard work necessary to make a lasting marriage, and no doubt this has helped bring her and Don to where they are today.
Marriage does take work, and actively loving sure isn’t always easy. We did vow to love in sickness and in health, in good times and in bad. I have seen in Marnie and Don the riches that result from years of active love and service to one another – what a witness of God’s love towards us, in good times and in bad.
what a wise woman Marnie is…Keep her words in your heart, they will serve you well….
[…] fun tidbit about my Pen-Friend, Marnie, is her charming artistic skills. Many of her letters contain little sketches of maybe a […]