This week we are thinking about Valentine's Day and I have lots to think about when it comes to February 14. My first thought is that my most important Valentine must always go to my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. No one has ever loved me more than He does and someday I will be able to tell Him in person just how much I appreciate that love! But after Him, I remember that it was on February 11, 1965 that Rowland A. Benedict asked me to marry him and I surprised him by saying, "yes." There was a lot of drama in my life at that time (a very long story) and he was not sure where he stood with me. I knew that it was God's will that I marry this guy, but I had a few loose ends to tie up first. How very patient he was, while I got things settled! It was surely training for him because I don't think I have ever really been what you would call a predictable wife - but 45 years from that night I can say that I am so glad that I listened to God and made the right decision. In August we will celebrate 45 years of marriage and that is not nearly long enough to love him and be loved by him! If you see him this week, be sure to tell him what a great guy he is for treasuring me all these years - I plan to tell him that daily for the rest of my life!
Every February I temper my joy with sadness when I remember the February 12,1995 when my mom passed away and we were so many miles away that we could not get back to celebrate her life with the family there in New York. Then, 3 years later, on February 11, 1998 my "favorite" sister passed away, also in New York. This time our church people paid our way back to do a burial service for her and to join many of my siblings to remember Marion . As we gathered, we also spent many hours remembering my mom, and this was a very healing time for me.
To my 3 children and their spouses, and to my grandchildren, and to my great-grandchildren, and to my treasured friends - thanks for making February a happy month in 2010! And to my husband, "Happy Valentine's Day, sweetheart! I love you more than life itself!"
