On this date, 60 years ago, I grasped the hands of “the most beautiful girl on the face of God’s earth” and vowed to love her “till death do us part.” I never would have thought that, 60 years later, we would be alive to celebrate our “Diamond Anniversary.” But, to the praise of God and with grateful hearts, we do humbly bow before our Savior, thanking Him for His kindness to us these past six decades.
I want to share with you a poem that I wrote a few years ago—not on an anniversary, but since I have never published this one, I thought our 60th was the time to let it see the light of day:
“My dearest Ellen, on this day, I want to come to you to say ‘My love for you will falter never, I’ll love you always, dearest, ever’!
It was a day so long ago, to my delight I got to know, a girl named Ellen from Wilkes County, a girl that brought to my life Bounty.
You’ve proven sweet, true, kind and dear. I’ll always want you ever near; your beauty takes away my breath,
I’ll love you always unto death.
Our hearts were knit and we are one, ‘til our life’s journeys here are done. It’s been a joyous trip in life;
With you beside me as my wife.
God blessed us with our children three; they made our hearts beat fast with glee; we’ve seen them grow before our eyes, to give us grandkids as a prize.
We have a home, a place of love, blessed with God’s favor from above. We’re blessed in riches that abide, in God’s great grace we take our pride.
We’ve loved and laughed and even lost; at times, we’ve had to pay great cost. It’s part of life to face stark death, but God’s pure love gave baby’s breath.
So, Ellen dearest, this I write, to praise you for your life and light. You’ve been a beacon true and clear—To all who’ve known you far and near.
I pray your days left here below, will gladness, pleasure, blessings know; I’ll love you ‘till I cannot breathe,
And only then from your side leave.
I thank you dearest, my sweet love; and I do thank my God above, that He brought Ellen to my side, so that we could here abide.”
Marriage: “Two volumes bound in one complete, with thrilling story, old but sweet: No title needs the cover fair, two golden hearts are blended there.”
“And said, ‘For this cause shall a man leave father and mother, and shall cleave to his wife: and they twain shall be one flesh. Wherefore they are no more twain, but one flesh. What therefore God hath joined together, let not man put asunder.’” (Matt. 19:5,6)
YOU and GOD 