How many posts on Facebook have you seen that say: ‘On this day 10 years, 17 years, 20 years ago I married my sweetheart…’? And how many times have you thought to yourself (knowing them personally) you wish you’d read something more truthful like: “17 years ago today I was caught up in a whirlwind of excitement, anxious to wear the dress, crazy in love with —- and had no clue how many turns the roller coaster we were about to board had in store. But after kids, therapy, marriage counseling and finally giving my life over to Christ we finally have come to a place we can say, ‘WOW, we made it this far and I still like you.’” 🙂
That’s what my post is today. 😉
Neal and I are celebrating our 17th wedding anniversary (together for 20 years total… so that means I’ve been with him just as long, actually longer, than I’ve lived at home so from now on it means it’s HIS FAULT and no longer my parents! ) 😀
Every year we take turns surprising the other with a short get a way for our anniversary. It began with our 1st year and we’ve kept to it every year. This year is mine…I’ll write about it tomorrow because he still doesn’t know! 😉
Another great anniversary that is today that means a lot to me is the Feast Day of Saint Maria Goretti:
1890 – 1902 Born in Corinaldo, Ancona, Italy, on October 16 1890; her farm worker father moved his family to Ferrier di Conca, near Anzio. Her father died of malaria and her mother had to struggle to feed her children. In 1902 an eighteen-year-old neighbor, Alexander, grabbed her from her steps and tried to rape her. When Maria said that she would rather died than submit, Alexander began stabbing her with a knife. As she lay in the hospital, she forgave Alexander before she died. Her death didn’t end her forgiveness, however. Alexander was captured and sentenced to thirty years. He was unrepentant until he had a dream that he was in a garden. Maria was there and gave him flowers. When he woke, he was a changed man, repenting of his crime and living a reformed life. When he was released after 27 years he went directly to Maria’s mother to beg her forgiveness, which she gave. “If my daughter can forgive him, who am I to withhold forgiveness,” she said. When Maria was declared a saint in 1950, Alexander was there in the St. Peter’s crowd to celebrate her canonization. She was canonized by Pope Pius XII in 1950 for her purity as model for youth. She is called a martyr because she fought against Alexander’s attempts at sexual assault. However, the most important aspect of her story is her forgiveness of her attacker — her concern for her enemy extending even beyond death.
Her feast day is July 6. St. Maria Goretti is the patroness of youth and for the victims of rape. [/box]
*information taken from catholic.org Also visit www.mgoretti.org
I send my prayers for those of you who have just lost your spouse (specifically my Aunt Tickie), to those whose spouse is suffering an illness or other troubling diagnosis or event, and to those of you who are facing the dips and turns of the dramatic roller coaster ride of marriage. Hang in there, marriage is a commitment that is worth the effort. Pray God is the center of your relationship and you will be blessed.
Blessings
Shannon