Countdown to 45!

This blog on my 65th year is is fun.  I have not had the time to write as I would wish but as I can the reflections are humbling.  I am one blessed individual.

Countdown to 45 years of marriage is amazing to me!   December 19th we will have made it 45 years!  Amazing!  As a young girl I never expected to marry, for 'who would want me' was never far from my thoughts.  I was young when I met Don Erickson and in today's world most would say too young to marry him at age 20.  Perhaps in my world it was too young as well. However,  outside of choosing to make Jesus Christ, the Lord and Savior of my life, marrying Don was the best choice I ever made.  I love having done life with this man.

If my life today were exposed to the world on Facebook or on social media in general, there would be  'ugly' pictures or posts along the way.  Our journey has had valleys to include a child who was ill most of her life and died early, hospital and medical bills that were staggering, arguments, opposite opinions, a very tight income, old cars, getting 4.5 kids ;) into adulthood.  Add to this list, we are doing life in a fish bowl before a community and a congregation.  We are two people who are less than perfect and are still trying to figure it out.  

We are two people who are so opposite, we would flunk a marriage counselors compatibility test.  We have this in common, we love The Lord, each other and our children.  From there we both must navigate how to do the dance to make a marriage work.  Don loves details, routine and organization. I am 'Tigger'.  I am a BIG picture person that has A.D.D. I verbally process my thoughts, ideas and momentary wishes. He has spent our married life trying to quantify these messages hoping to please me or stay ahead of me, while I have most likely moved onto a different subject or thought.  He has spent most of our marriage looking for things I have misplaced, trying to bring order to my life when I really did not see the need for it at that moment.  (It is important ;) ).  He has supported my crazy ideas (most of the time) and he has challenged me as well.   He believes in me! No one else ever did that for me! 

I close this blog realizing that spouses or friends that have opposite personalities are really God's blessings in our lives.  They help to knock the rough edges off our personalities and force us to look at life through different filters.    We have learned to lean on each others strengths and forgive each others weaknesses. 

"Be completely humble and gentle; Be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace."   Ephesians 4: 2-3 (Bible)

And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you." Ephesians 4: 32 (Bible)