Paying Attention (22): celebrating monotonous monogamy

In this season that my time is called for in places other than writing new posts, I've been following an idea my good Father gave me to  ponder and notice again the words I've already written once.  I've discovered this practice allows me to keep praying the beads of memory in this sacramental life.

On Monday Brian and I celebrate our 24th wedding anniversary.  Unbelievable. I am the first person to understand the unearned favor and fragile nature of this gift . 

In honor of long-love, here's a little compilation of posts I've written on the subject.

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in honor of monotonous matrimony(originally posted 06/02/2010)

June 5, 1970 was the day my parents made vows.  That's forty years of obedience in the same direction.  As the oldest child -- and precociously perceptive at that -- I noted each dip in the ebb and flow of long love. The romantic hilarity and teeth-gritting shouldering on the vows demanded.  As an adult, I've walked with Brian nearly twenty years in their footsteps.In the same way they've followed in the 64-year-old worn-down path my grandparents are travelling.

Sometimes the love is fierce as hate and sometimes it is supple as a half-awake midnight caress. It is hard-fought and exhausting in its familiarity.  It is insistent to remember one face, one form, one essence only, and no other.  It is cisterns and wells of living water and tromps through vineyards. Pomegranates and gazelles and all that.  My beloved is mine and I am his.  

Glorious monotony.

My grandmother said, "My back doesn't bend anymore!"  

My grandfather said, "Mine does!"

when did you first notice the one you love?(originally posted 10/16/2013)

A little video from the time I was talking with my grandparents on their 67th anniversary and being really nosey about their love and marriage business.

-- Three Generations of monotonous monogamy -- (and honeymoon babies).