Ecclesiastes 9:10 NIV

¹⁰ Whatever your hand finds to do, do it with all your might, for in the realm of the dead, where you are going, there is neither working nor planning nor knowledge nor wisdom.

And suddenly we were trapped again in our own home! The test came back positive for covid! It just felt so eerily like March 2020 all over again, but this time I was not well! Here it is our 47th wedding Anniversary and we cannot leave the building! We did have plans. A beautiful trip to Lancaster to the Sight and Sound Theater to see the play ‘David’. Nope, not this week! We were able to change the date with no penalty. Covid has allowed many vendors to do that. Since Sight and Sound is a Mennonite facility, the woman who helped my husband also added something that soothed the blow; ” there must be a reason why you are not able to go that day. God worked all things out for your good.’ There it is!

In other times of my life I reminded myself of this virtue when I’ve been late, or missed an appointment. Now I was being reminded, and I appreciated it! I did think, just for a minute, God, you could have stopped us from going without me getting covid! Still, He knows best!

So, We made the best of it. We pulled out our wedding album and looked at the photos! Shocking! Time has not been kind to some people! Then we looked at the book I kept of the shower and wedding gifts. We actually still have some of those gifts! I was surprised by the fact that the gifts that stood the test of time were crystal! I actually have a crystal tray that was hubby’s aunts mother’s! It’s probably over 100 years old! I do treasure it, and her memory!

We went over the guest roster. Unfortunately, many of both younger and older guests have passed on. I caught glimpses of these friends in the crowds and it was nice to remember them again.

We remembered the way the cake kept leaning precariously looking like the tower of Pisa! It was a very hot day and the cake was many layered! We hoped it would be cut before tumbling. It did! We also chuckled at a photo of my little cousin, my ring bearer. He was standing at the altar and when the Pastor said; ‘you may kiss the bride’, he leaned over to get a good look. I was happy the photographer got that one!

As we left the wedding venue I waved to everyone. It is difficult to see but, the stress of the day ripped my sleeve from the bodice. The photographer captured that for posterity as well!

Our honeymoon memories included eating too much, slipping in new sandals and scraping my knees. The best however was the fact that my Irish white skin was no match for his Mediterranean olive skin. I burned the first day by the pool and suffered the rest of the week He was not happy either as ‘don’t touch me!’ was my mantra!

That was just the first of many anniversaries that included odd events. So, I had a plan for this anniversary. I wanted something tangible to remember the day! I was not sure he would want to do this, and he didn’t, but he did it to make me happy on this strange kind of anniversary! We painted rocks! I wanted them painted to look like cactus. He painted his 3 in record time! I am still working on mine! I am a slow perfectionist. I’ll get ’em done, eventually. For me, it was the special time we shared working on a project together. We have always done that throughout our marriage. From wallpapering and painting to sewing and yard work, we work as a team. I thank the Lord for the Captain of my team. With God’s help we get it done-together!