An Anniversary

Today is a special day. Special only to me now. 36 years ago, September 2, 1972, my parents were married. Because of that day 36 years ago, I exist, my children exist-we exist because a boy and a girl fell in love and were joined in holy matrimony before The Lord. My mother and father were soul mates, the great loves of each others lives. Their vows were only broken by the fulfillment of the least desired vow they made to one another...till death do we part. After my mothers death my father and I would go to the cemetery together to place flowers on her grave. Always the same bouquet...three red roses, just like her wedding bouquet. I remember vividly going to the cemetery on their anniversary the year my mother had died. I remember sitting on her grave while my father sat on the wall close by, just looking out, pondering. Perhaps he was pondering the "What If's", perhaps he was just trying not to cry. I even remember us quietly sneaking off by ourselves to go to the cemetery, on this day even after he had married my stepmother. It was our day remember, it was special only to us. As time passed and death's sting had softened we stopped going to the cemetery together. However, I always stopped to call my dad on this day. Just to say ,"I'm thinking about you." He would always say, "You know what today is?" as if I didn't know, and I would respond, "Yes Dad, that's why I called. I just wanted to let you know that someone else in this world knows what today is, and understands. Oh yeah, and Dad...I love you." I remember having that conversation with him last year. And we would've had the same conversation again this year, except.... this year my parents are together for their anniversary. I was thinking of the song, We've only just begun by The Carpenters. That song was played at my parent's wedding reception and later in honor of them, it was sang during my wedding ceremony. How true the words to that song are and how well it applies to my parents now. They have only just begun to experience eternity with their savior. What wonders and beauty await them and all of us who are called children of God. We've only just begun.....

We've only just begun to live,
White lace and promises
A kiss for luck and we're on our way.
And yes, We've just begun.

Before the rising sun we fly,
So many roads to choose
We start out walking and learn to run.
And yes, We've just begun.

Sharing horizons that are new to us,
Watching the signs along the way,
Talking it over just the two of us,
Working together day to day
Together.

And when the evening comes we smile,
So much of life ahead
We'll find a place where there's room to grow,
And yes, We've just begun.