50 years of marriage and finally a honeymoon

I am holed up at home this weekend hanging out with my baby sister while my parents are away. And by hanging out I mean sort of like babysitting and by sort of like babysitting I mean she is at a sleep over at her friends’ house. Thus I am mostly just walking the dog every 4-6 hours. Being in my parents’ house without them or any of my sisters is lonely. No wonder the dog never eats when we leave her. Currently I am at my favorite coffee shop this side of the Atlantic. My Step 1 books are sitting in my bag glaring at me. I am ignoring them

 

It’s my grandparents’ 50^th wedding anniversary this May. They got married on their Prom night; they went south to Texas where it was legal to wed when you are only 16. One of “their” songs is that Johnny Cash song “We got married in a fever…” 50 years later they teach the young couples class at their church J. I love them, they are adorable. When you think about how few marriages make it these days you can’t help but be in awe of 50 years.

 

My parents left this morning for Maui thus the dog walking. My grandmother has dreamed her entire life of going to Hawaii. My parents have gone all out. I am impressed especially considering the Long family tradition of saving money in a can in the backyard. They have spared no expense they saved sky miles so my grandparents could fly first class, got them ocean front rooms, paid extra for champagne, real lais at the airport, a luau, etc.  

 

My grandfather who is the CEO of the can the money foundation called this morning. They arrived earlier than my parents on a separate flight. I have never seen him talk so fast. He was like a little kid. He told me about the room, the ocean, the fruit basket, the plane, the food on the plane, the hotel and how it was the best hotel in the world. And I couldn’t help but smile and giggle a little. Somehow I doubt there was a honeymoon after Prom night especially for two farm kids from Oklahoma.

 

My Dad was really worried my grandfather wouldn’t accept the gift of the trip. If he did they were afraid he would get upset about the can of money we unburied from the backyard to pay for it and whine perpetually. But he has surprised us with joy and gratitude opposed to a lecture on how many children we could feed with the money (yep I come by it naturally). I am so glad he has accepted this. I know how much it means to my Dad and to my grandmother.

 

How often do we as human beings refuse gifts because we are concerned we don’t deserve them or that others need or deserve them more? When you think about it the best gifts rarely have anything to do with rather you deserve them or not.

 

. Perhaps I shouldn’t be surprised at my Grandpapa’s reaction. If you manage to stay married for 50 years you have to learn a thing or too about grace and gifts.