(My parents celebrated their 70th wedding anniversary 20 years ago this fall; I marked the happy occasion with this tribute that is late getting up on “You and God.”)
They were hard, lean times…the worst of times. The “war to end all wars” was past, and the drumbeats were soon to mark the beginning of another one to come, yet bloodier.
In the heartland of America, against the backdrop of those dark Depression days, two young lovers’ lives were merged, molded, and melded in the furnace of attraction into one.
He, stout, handsome, somewhat shy. She, tall, slender, beautiful, and not so shy. Separated by a half-dozen years and just a few more miles, fate drew them inextricably together, and providence, nature, and the powers of youth bore upon them, ‘til love had its way and blossomed beautiful like a morning rose, fresh with the dew of life and promise of a bright and lovely day.
They met, they courted, they lived and loved and, in time, entered into a covenant of life.
Little did their youthful feelings that day betray the joys and sorrows, the tears, trials and triumphs, the valleys and heights and depths and sheer duration their journey would entail.
Never could they have imagined, hand in hand, heart to heart—as they echoed 70 years ago “I do”—that life’s highways would be so long, so sometimes rugged, so frightful and yet so full of golden memories.
It was a trip indeed! In Model A’s and Model T’s, in rattletraps and through mud ruts; in Studebakers, Impalas, VW’s and vans—to the deep South and to the far West; to Canada and Mexico, to Washington and Arizona and Florida—in pursuit of truth and in search of people, with interest in places and causes, they traveled and traveled and traveled.
Five children touched their lives from Heaven. Their oldest, a daughter and bright ray of sunshine—and joy in their new home—was strong and hard-working and independent at an early age; she met and married a fine, young Iowan serving in the United States Air Force, and they gave them their first two grandchildren, sons, and later yet another.
Their second, a son, gentle, kind, boyish, the apple of their eye, brought them the greatest delight and the deepest sorrow. God lent him to them just eleven brief years, then called him back to his heavenly home via a tragic summer drowning incident. Their family circle broken, they would never cease feeling the ache for his loss, nor would they ever begin to question the wisdom and ways of God in choosing this lot for them.
Next, a daughter gave them their greatest pleasure and their greatest pain. She made them laugh, and then brought them to tears. After her maverick youthful years, she became a devoted darling to them and brought them joy unbounded. She married a man that they would learn to love as a son; and to this union was born an only child, the dearest of their lives.
Their fourth, another son, no substitute for one now gone, yet a gift from a loving heavenly Father’s guiding hand; their Teddy’s death had brought the family to Himself and, in due season, the second son answered the call of God to bear the good news of the gospel of grace. He is their preacher boy, and he and his beautiful Carolina wife bore them three grandchildren; two lovely girls and a son, name-sake of his grandfather.
And finally, another girl: devoted, consummate mom; kind and generous with all the best traits of her siblings, always a source of cheer and comfort to her parents. She gave them four grandsons—all men of character and caliber.
Along the way of life, a multitude of friends were made. Most of them shared their love of Bible preaching, church, and conservative causes. Friends from Canada and Florida, India, Iowa and Pennsylvania—friends from everywhere, most of whom they have outlived.
Books, ideas, politics, and people were her loves in life. A good homemaker and loving mother was she. Crusader for truth, advocate of the underdog and champion of the prophet, preacher, and politician who stood for what was right. This is her legacy.
His: strength and integrity, family and a work ethic second to none; a love of people; strong, with depth of feeling and sensitivity, and a bedrock faith in God’s Word and works; a toughness produced by enduring the Great Depression, death, and disease. A strength that was gentle, and a gentleness that was strong. This was the man.
Today, 70 years after they covenanted “till death do us part” we honor them.
We give to her that life-long wish: roses while she is still living. And with them our sincere and deepest appreciation for her life, labors, and love on our behalf.
We give to him our heartfelt gratitude, honor, and respect for a sterling life, a life well lived that models fatherhood to the generation to come.
Today, mother and father, Margaret and Ted, all of your family and friends—those here and those not here—express to you the best of wishes with a prayer that His goodness will be yours until your journey is ended and you reach life’s final destination. To God be the glory.
(Within four years of this writing, Margaret and Ted had both taken up residence in heaven.)
“Thy father and thy mother shall be glad….” (Provs. 23:25)
YOU and GOD 