Gratitude-Part 6

I haven’t done a gratitude post for a couple of weeks but this week I have one to share. I am grateful for these two people.

image

Mom and Dad are celebrating their 60th anniversary tomorrow. Sixty years! That’s a long time to live side by side with someone. They are truly soulmates and their marriage has long been an inspiration to me. I am grateful for the example their marriage set for me and my sisters, over the years. With the high rate of divorce in the US, we are very fortunate to have grown up with parents that stayed (happily) married.  They enjoy and respect each other, which created a solid home life for their six children.

mom and dad

Research shows that growing up in a home where the parents marriage remains intact, decreases the likeilhood of the childrens’ future marriage ending in divorce. Having a healthy marriage modeled for you teaches a person what it takes to successfully marry. It appears to create a stronger commitment to the institution of marriage. The study showed that this increased level of confidence was more apparent in females than males who grew up in homes with intact parental marriage. I was blessed to grow up in such a home. Thank you Mom and Dad.

panoramic group shot

This is a fun picture of the legacy they created. Taken at Thanksgiving of 2012, there are a couple of the grandchildren missing, so the group wasn’t quite complete. Since this picture was taken, two more great granchildren have been born so the group is even a bit bigger now. I think our family (their six children, our spouses, their 21 grandchildren, and their eight great-grandchildren) tallies 45 people now. Little did they know what they were starting when they said “I do” back in May of 1955.

Linking to Yvonne over at Quilting Jetgirl.

19 thoughts on “Gratitude-Part 6

  1. Linda

    Very special! What an awesome legacy. My parents have been married for 63 1/2 years so I know what you are saying about learning what a good marriage takes.

    Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      Congrats to your parents as well. It isn’t easy, I am sure. I have been married 17 years and hope we will go the distance, just like mom and dad!

      Take care and thanks for stopping by.

      Bernie

      Reply
  2. Kristen Jones

    That is truly awesome! It restores my faith in humanity to see that there are people in the world who believe in staying together and creating a wonderful family! I have been with my husband for 14 years and hope to make it to 60 too! Its possible! So far so good! Thanks for sharing! This is a beautiful post!

    Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      Thank you. I am so glad you liked it! Congrats on 14 years – hope you make it to 60 years and beyond! It is definitely possible, maybe not easy, but yes its possible!

      Take care,
      Bernie

      Reply
  3. B. Delgado

    What a lovely tribute to your parents … Thanks honey … You are very special and we’re proud of you. We’ll make a special toast to our wonderful girls tomorrow!!

    Mom

    Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      She is happy and I think that is what gives her that radiance. I am glad you liked the post.

      Take care Deb.

      B.

      Reply
  4. Linda

    Bernie they are darling! I love both photos. Don’t you just love your Mom’s dress? They both look too young to have been married that long. Great post.

    Reply
  5. Mari

    Whay a great picture of your parents’ wedding! They both look so happy. What a sweet tribute to them. You are all so lucky to still have them. Blessings!

    Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      Lucky indeed. I am fortunate to live about 15 miles from them so we get to see each other regularly. They were so young when they got married (19 and 20 years old!!) Crazy 🙂

      Take care Mari,
      B.

      Reply
  6. Shauna

    Now that is something to be thankful about!!!! In today’s world too many people give up on marriage rather than working it out, so 60 years is quite an accomplishment.

    Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      That is so true Shauna. I think the media (TV and movies specifically) create this idealized view of what marriage is and then when it doesn’t turn out like that in real life, people bail. It is hard work to stay committed and compatible with your partner, day in and day out. So, yes, 60 years is a great accomplishment.

      Thank you for commenting.
      Bernie

      Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      Thank you Ruth. They are both quite photogenic and I love the happiness that they exude in these pictures. Glad you enjoyed the post.
      Take care,
      Bernie

      Reply
    1. Bernie Post author

      Thank you Yvonne! I am lucky to have them as parents and even more fortunate to live just 15 miles or so down the highway from them. Very thankful!

      B.

      Reply

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