Answer: everything. At least it does when both parties have gone through divorces; there’s little money between them, and three kids to boot. One can imagine that saying “yes” a second time is akin to banging one's head against an iron skillet.
Time for a confession: that scenario is what my sweet husband, Bill Elvins and I faced 35 years ago when we stood in front of Father John and said “We do!”. And do we have done: three amazing kids with successful careers and solid marriages, four outrageously wonderful grandchildren, and adventures galore.
Bill and I have:
Backpacked over the High Sierras
Joined a veterinarian in his ride to count the wild mustangs of the Eastern Sierras
Trekked the northwestern corner of the India Himalayas
Sat in the middle of San Ignacio Lagoon in the Baja while kissing the head of the California gray whales and their 18-footlong babies
Fished for salmon in Alaska
Danced our feet off at many events, wedding, and award ceremonies
After 35 years, I am so clear that we don’t need “stuff”. What we yearn for are shared experiences from which we learn, laugh, and soak in amazing sights, sounds and people.
I write this to honor my amazing Bill who is so supportive as I travel the globe, speaking. He’s the anchor that draws me home, the man who tends daily chores that I can’t manage, the one who calms me down and evens me out. He’s the laundryman, the chef, the wine steward, and the best hugger/snuggler on the planet. Yes, the wind beneath my wings.
I want the world to know about him. I want to honor the incredible job he has done as a father and a grandfather. He’ll be upset that I have written about him. Too bad. Sometimes, you just have to follow your intuition.
Happy Anniversary, Sweet William.