A 56th Wedding Anniversary Gift To Help Her Remember
Posted: Thursday, December 15, 2011
by Joel Hendon
http://hebronics.org/index.html
When Nadine and I married back on December 23, 1955, it never crossed our minds that we would still be together this long. We have often discussed the fact that we wish it was possible that we could go together when the end comes. But we know that this is not to be expected, and certainly we would never do something to cause it to happen. But as we approach this 56 full years mark, we know that it is highly unlikely that we will be able to celebrate many more together. I tried to think of something I could give her that would be a source of remembering our years together with pleasure.
As we grew older and the record player gave up the ghost, I purchased another but it too, went the way of all good players. So we spent much of our leisure time reading or watching TV until the computer days came and she had to pass away most of the time to herself while I “computered“. She mentioned from time to time that she would like another stereo which would still play our albums (and we had accumulated a number of cassette tapes also). But those things became expensive and scarce with the advent of the CD’s and DVD’s
So, I found a table top Memorex machine with a maple cabinet with the appearance of an old days radio. But it has a turntable which plays all the old records (if we still had any of the old 78’s and 45’s) plus cassette tapes and CD’s…PLUS, it records any of those older methods onto CD’s. Man! (It came early but we don’t pay much attention to such things anymore). She loves it and so do I. I have already begun recording some of the albums and tapes onto CD’s since the record players have become so difficult to find.
Nadine picked out her favorites for me to put on CD’s. Henry Mancini cassette of Love Story, Moon River, and a bunch of others. Antali Dorati’s rendition Mozart’s Symphony 36 in C and Mozart’s Concerto # 15 in B flat plus Lara’s Theme and the rest of the sound track from the Dr. Chevago (Zhivago) movie. All of those are very memorable to us. We both cried when we watched the movie of Dr. Chevago, many years ago.
Then today, I’ve recorded, perhaps my most favorite of our old albums, titled Steven Foster Favorites by The Robert Shaw Chorale, sometimes known as the Robert Shaw Singers. Virtualy all of Stephen Foster’s songs are tear jerkers for me. I have heard them, and even sang them, all of my life. And the story of Stephen Foster himself will bring tears to most folks eyes. And, absolutely NOBODY can do justice to them all as the Robert Shaw Chorale did.
So two years ago, I bought her a maple fireplace with an electric heater and a beautiful simulated but very realistic looking burning log, giving us now an old timey atmosphere to sit and listen to our old songs, watch the fire flickering along and talk and cry over the good times we have had together. If the end comes tomorrow or 15 years from now, as long as we have lucid minds, we have loving memories. What a wonderful wife and wonderful life!
This Article has been viewed 412 times. (Not updated in real-time.)
Top-level comments on this article: (7 total)Joel, you are a wonderful role model of how a husband should cherish his wife. Danny and I have had similar conversations with us each telling the other "you can't leave me here!", all the while knowing that God is sovereign and good. May you and Nadine enjoy your music, healthy and happy, until you are called to your forever home...a long time from now! :-) Happy Anniversary!Thank you so much Lorrie for your kind remarks. I guess when one is young, eventhough they love their mate, it doesn't seem to be so cherished as when you grow old. My wife is the most precious thing that has ever happened to me. She has always let me do the driving of our lives eventhough I've made many mistakes, she was always there beside me, encouraging me. I'm pretty convinced that she will outlive me, but I am selfish enough that I hope so. I don't believe I could handle it without her, and I believe she can.
Nice one- my next- in Jan is 40Thanks, Jack for your comment, and I hope you have many more Januarys
Good and wonderful story. Make it to 60th by all means, Joel.
Thanks for sharing always .
Wonderful retellling of a marvelous union. All the best to you both.Thank you Christofer. Yes it has made life worth living, and I could not ask for more.
Just wonderful and absolutely beautiful, Joel!Thank you Jean, sometimes I think choosing Nadine was about the only thing I ever did which was the right choice.
Joel,
That was lovely. And I think you did more good things than marry Nadine -- although she was the best thing I am sure. I can see you two sitting by the fire listening to your music. It is a wonderful vision. And, I hope you do get 15 more together! Thanks for sharing that.Thank you Nancy, yes, eventhough the fire is artificial and doesn't crackle, the memories still remain vividly. Sometimes I can't imagine why I am so fortunate. We have food, we can keep our house very comfortable and we have all these fond memories. What else could one ask. The only thing that really troubles me sometimes is when I go to bed on a cold and rainy night and I am snug under the covers, and I think about all the people who are not so fortunate and perhaps are out in that cold rain. I can't remedy it but I can pray for them.
Joel, I pray every day for them. Also, my church (which I wrote about a few years ago) is helping 94 families in our community with monthly food boxes, the holiday meals, presents for their children, and also clothing which they are welcome to take every month. When I first got involved with our 'clothes' closet, we had 75 families. But tougher times have increased those numbers. Luckily, our church is always there to help.
We want your comments! If you can read this, you don't have javascript enabled, so you can't use this comment system. Please enable javascript.