Fifty-six years! We were so young and somehow thought we would stay that way. 🙂

Little did we know in 1963 what would be ahead of us.

It kind of frustrates me when people say, but it has been so easy for you. Everything has been easy for you.

We raised four children. Those of you who raised children (or are raising children) know you can’t do that without difficult and painful situations. It is good to have children and grandchildren. They help keep us humble. 🙂

We have watched each of our parents die – and a young grandchild. That is pain that changed me.

We got married when wages were low, and we were determined that I would stay at home with the children while he drove truck. We learned how to make his wages reach. It wasn’t always easy, but it taught us life lessons we still appreciate. He never went over-the-road, but winters were difficult and long because he hauled propane and was extra busy on the coldest days. Those were days before cell phones, so I couldn’t even get in touch with him – sometimes all day until late in the evening – and there was a period of time when we had three preschoolers so there was constant activity in the house with little downtime for me.

We are quite different in personality. I am a dreamer and come up with lots of ideas. He is much more logical. I wouldn’t want to go back to the days when I didn’t understand that and appreciate the balance he brings to me.

I am in awe of the fact that he can fix almost anything and is so wise. Before we go on a trip he always turns off the water in the house. A day after getting home from our trip to Bryce Canyon, I noticed water dripping into my office – which is below the kitchen. A water pipe to the dishwasher began leaking. We would have had a real mess if it began leaking when we were gone. Jere checked the house every day or so, but it was leaking at a place that would have been difficult to see. I found it because of looking for something in that corner of the office. Cerwin spent much of yesterday fixing it. He went to two hardware stores before he found the part, then he had to go back for something else.

We’ve had a funny situation this summer – with our cars. Because we have a heating cooling system – and the largest system is in the garage, the garage becomes part of our house during the summer, and we keep all inside garage doors open into the house to help the circulation. We never put a car in the garage until the engine is cool – and he always opens the hood so it cools faster. Most of the neighbors think we are having car trouble all summer. I say, “No, it is because Cerwin wants the engine to cool down faster.” 🙂

He is my biggest fan when it comes to my blog. I would have quit a long time ago if he didn’t encourage me to keep on going. (Sometimes people say unkind things.) Many evenings he asks, “Did you post your blog yet?” or “What are you posting this evening?” He is always interested in what I write and the pictures I post.

Next to God, Cerwin is my strength when I am sad or discouraged – when someone us cruel or unkind – when life is painful – or when I am worried or concerned about something. I can’t imagine life without him to lean on and talk to during those times.

I love you, Cerwin High. You are truly my best friend.