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Love: Don't Take it For Granted - February 14, 2007
A story that came to me recently by e-mail concerns well-known evangelist Billy Graham. Graham is a seasoned Christian, who sticks to his knitting and has always avoided scandal, probably because he is truly genuine and decent. A pastor to presidents, he counsels them on spiritual matters no matter what their party, and of course now is mostly retired to the hills near Asheville, N.C.
When he appeared on Oprah Winfrey's television program for an extended interview, he was asked for the secret of being married 50+ years to one woman, Ruth. He responded, "Ruth and I are happily incompatible."
I'm trying to track down whether this quote is true or not. He did appear on the program, but I haven't seen it or a transcript. Regardless, I'm sure many long-married husbands and wives would actually say the same thing. It's the old truism: opposites attract. Yet even when married partners don't agree with each other, they each need to be the others' relentless cheerleader.
John Kollaer is a faithful reader of this column in Albany, Oregon, and he recently sent me a letter that he had published in his local paper in honor of his wife, inspired by a Chamber of Commerce banquet honoring the community service of many people in their area. His letter offers a loud "hooray" for his wife's unrecognized service over the years, and is the most wonderful valentine I can imagine. With his permission, I'm sharing part of it here, because it probably could have been written about many, many wives:
"For the last 30 years this person has volunteered in Little League activities, Boys' & Girls' Club activities; worked with children from birth to and through the teen years, helping them grow and become better people as they mature. She has spent countless hours in schools as a volunteer and taught Sunday school lessons to hundreds of kids.
"She has selflessly cared for the sick and dying, often going with little or no sleep on many occasions to make sure her charges were comforted. Maybe just by holding and rocking a crying baby, or holding the hand of an elderly person and praying that the pain and suffering would end peacefully.
"She sacrificed a career in the business world to devote herself to others, including her children, nieces and nephews, and grandchildren. She is famous for taking in troubled teens that needed a place to stay for a few weeks, months or longer. She has cared for numerous children of single moms so they could go to work. She's always feeding kids who happen to "stop by" around the time she was making dinner for her family.
"She'll probably never receive a trophy for her accomplishments from the Chamber or any other public entity, but she's OK with that. The love she receives from her family, friends and others she has dedicated her life to, far outweighs any public recognition.
"If you listen carefully, you might be able to hear the sound of applause. That's me providing a standing ovation for the love of my life. I'm truly blessed to be her husband. I love you, LaWanda! You're the greatest!"
Is there someone who would love to hear "You're the love of my life" this Valentine's Day?
Contributed by Melodie Davis: [email protected] Melodie is the author of eight books and writes a syndicated newspaper column, Another Way
A story that came to me recently by e-mail concerns well-known evangelist Billy Graham. Graham is a seasoned Christian, who sticks to his knitting and has always avoided scandal, probably because he is truly genuine and decent. A pastor to presidents, he counsels them on spiritual matters no matter what their party, and of course now is mostly retired to the hills near Asheville, N.C.
When he appeared on Oprah Winfrey's television program for an extended interview, he was asked for the secret of being married 50+ years to one woman, Ruth. He responded, "Ruth and I are happily incompatible."
I'm trying to track down whether this quote is true or not. He did appear on the program, but I haven't seen it or a transcript. Regardless, I'm sure many long-married husbands and wives would actually say the same thing. It's the old truism: opposites attract. Yet even when married partners don't agree with each other, they each need to be the others' relentless cheerleader.
John Kollaer is a faithful reader of this column in Albany, Oregon, and he recently sent me a letter that he had published in his local paper in honor of his wife, inspired by a Chamber of Commerce banquet honoring the community service of many people in their area. His letter offers a loud "hooray" for his wife's unrecognized service over the years, and is the most wonderful valentine I can imagine. With his permission, I'm sharing part of it here, because it probably could have been written about many, many wives:
"For the last 30 years this person has volunteered in Little League activities, Boys' & Girls' Club activities; worked with children from birth to and through the teen years, helping them grow and become better people as they mature. She has spent countless hours in schools as a volunteer and taught Sunday school lessons to hundreds of kids.
"She has selflessly cared for the sick and dying, often going with little or no sleep on many occasions to make sure her charges were comforted. Maybe just by holding and rocking a crying baby, or holding the hand of an elderly person and praying that the pain and suffering would end peacefully.
"She sacrificed a career in the business world to devote herself to others, including her children, nieces and nephews, and grandchildren. She is famous for taking in troubled teens that needed a place to stay for a few weeks, months or longer. She has cared for numerous children of single moms so they could go to work. She's always feeding kids who happen to "stop by" around the time she was making dinner for her family.
"She'll probably never receive a trophy for her accomplishments from the Chamber or any other public entity, but she's OK with that. The love she receives from her family, friends and others she has dedicated her life to, far outweighs any public recognition.
"If you listen carefully, you might be able to hear the sound of applause. That's me providing a standing ovation for the love of my life. I'm truly blessed to be her husband. I love you, LaWanda! You're the greatest!"
Is there someone who would love to hear "You're the love of my life" this Valentine's Day?
Contributed by Melodie Davis: [email protected] Melodie is the author of eight books and writes a syndicated newspaper column, Another Way
