My folks were married for 57 years when my dad passed away
in 1999. They were married in a tumultuous time when the country was at war.
How many young men and women tied the knot after knowing each other for just a
short time for fear the war would claim the young man's life and rob them of
their chance at happiness, even if it was for just a little while.
My mother wore a borrowed wedding dress and my dad a rented
a tuxedo. There are only two photos that I know of, commemorating their special
day. The one below and a tiny black and white snap shot folded and faded which
may have accompanied my dad to sea during WWII.
There is no video, no film, no leather bound wedding album...there
was a party, but the only way I know this is through a reference my mother made
to it in a war time letter she sent to my dad.
Weddings, for my parents' generation and demographic, were
family celebrations, not an opportunity to impress the neighbors or cause to
empty the family's bank account.
My parents borrowed a car and drove to Niagara Falls, NY for
their honeymoon. They likely stayed at a small motel catering to economically modest
war time couples. My father got his orders to ship out just a few days later.
When I succumb to watching ridiculous reality shows about
making a couple's "wedding dreams come true" I can't help but wonder
how many of those couples' marriages will survive 57 years...a three year war time
separation, with only a few censored letters as communication...mortgage payments, kids, unemployment, illness...Will they enjoy 57 years celebrating
holidays, birthdays, weddings, vacations and outings to the beach? They may,
but the odds are not in their favor...and the perfect wedding dress and
fabulous reception will not increase their chances for success.
My parents did not have a perfect marriage, far from it! But
they did hold it together, for better and for worse...and for that I admire
them.
Happy 71st Anniversary Mom and Dad
No comments:
Post a Comment