I was just sitting down to watch a stage production of one of my favorite disney movies beauty and the beast ( dont worry this perspective change has nothing to do with the actual play) I had the privilege of sitting next to a strikingly handsome tall man ( my grandpa) and next to him sat the love of his life and bride of 60 years. I went through the first act of the play not knowing that in a few short moments I would change forever.
My grandma has been struggling with her loss of hearing for a while but it has become more severe these last couple months. Now, she is one that has always enjoyed music and conversation so this loss has been particularly hard. While I casually watched and enjoyed the music she heard little the actual play and was deeply frustrated once again by the inability to hear as she once had been able to.
As the second act started I happened to look over at the two. Here were my grandparents who have been a constant in my life sitting in creaky seats with HARD armrests sitting arm in arm like they had been for 60 years. My grandma not hearing half of what was going on and my grandpa just plain happy to be sitting next to her.
I then ignored the play in front of me and watched as she gently changed the position of their arms ( I am telling you those armrests are not much of a "rest" ) as their arms sat casually embraced I had a deeper understanding of what true love is.
Not that I have ever been the kind of girl into fairy tales and knight in shining armor dreams but my idea of love has been strengthened. IT STILL DOES EXIST!!!! It needs no elaborate rights of passage or store bought symbols. People in this world still do love each other. People can still be married to the same person for more than 60 years - in a country where divorce is so readily available there still are those who muddle through the hard stuff together and at the end of the day go to sleep next to the one they love.
Being an active Young Single Adult in the church I hear so much of the need to be married while my attitude has not always been the best towards every fireside being on marriage I fear my previous position has been changed. And while it is not the path set in front of me right now I am happy for those young couples in my life who have found that person that 60 years from now when they are using oxygen and when mobility does not come as freely as it had before they still are truckin' on through together.
I am grateful for the example of my grandparents and of their faithfulness to the promises they made to each other. with out them our family of 50+ aunts, uncles, and cousins would not be here. So to Nadean and Leonard Halvorson- Thank you for all you have done in my life and in the life of my family members.
