There are so many jokes about marriage. Most do not speak of the wedded state as being bliss. But they make me laugh.
“There is one thing I would break up over, and that is if she caught me with another woman,” said comedian Steve Martin. “I won’t stand for that.” So noble.
“Instead of getting married again,” wrote humor columnist Lewis Grizzard, “I’m going to find a woman I don’t like and give her a house.” So crass.
Rodney Dangerfield adds, “My wife and I were happy for twenty years. Then we met.” So sad.
Those are all comedians getting a laugh. And I do laugh when I read them. But I have a friend of 15 years who recently lost her husband to cancer. What she wrote is so much deeper.
“He was my best friend,” writes Karen. “We were married 52 years and one week. I miss our early morning coffee and talks before we went to work. I miss our evenings in the gazebo in our backyard. I miss our Saturday morning breakfast. I miss sitting next to him in church and listening to him sing. I miss the small everyday things. And at the end I prayed that God would take him home so he would not suffer.” That’s real.
And in that short paragraph she emailed me, I think it holds some of the secrets of having a 52 – year happy marriage. They talk. They sit together. They eat at the table together. They go to church. They enjoyed each other. Karen was so lucky and now she is so sad. Life isn’t easy.
But there are many things to enjoy in life here in Guymon right now, too. Make it a point to do so. Cherish the time we have and the opportunities presented to us.
L&M Arena Play Days are going on. The July evenings are the 5, 12, 19, and 26. Go to the arena, north of town on Highway 64, and watch those kids having a wonderful time on their horses.
Those who enjoy golfing need to consider signing up for the OPSU Belly Open Tournament that takes place July 7 and 8. The evening of the 7th includes a dinner, dancing, social, including a silent auction at the Hitch Arena Building. It begins at 8 pm and music is by 12 Gauge. For more information, contact Coach Russell Gaskamp at 580-651-4480.
Families with children who have special needs are invited to the Oklahoma Family Network discussion at lunchtime on July 7. The talk is about “Effective Communication with Service Providers” and it takes place from noon to 1 pm in the Main Street Guymon office. Call Monica Ronne at 580-651-9700 for more information.
Calling all crocheters to come together on July 11, 13, 18, 20, 25, and 27 in the Main Street Guymon office from 5 to 6 pm. Come if you want to learn to crochet. Come if you want to crochet around the table with others wielding their needle. Those who are learning or don’t have a project, we have yarn and a needle for you and you can take part in Emily’s Crochet for Charity. First, we will be crocheting lap robes for elders in the nursing home. It’s free and it’s fun. Call Melyn Johnson at 338-6246 for more information.
And don’t miss the fresh garden veggies and herbs on Saturday at the Farmers Market. It starts at 8 am in front of the Texas County Courthouse at 4th and Main. It’s free to be a vendor. Call 338-6246 for more info.
See you on the bricks while I’m picking up some fresh garden squash!