May 26, 2023

It's not a surprise to find myself here, 50 years after saying "I do" to Charles. We both went into the marriage understanding the seriousness of our commitment to one another. But promising to share you life with someone, "to have and to hold from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do us part" contains an unknown number of surprises! Surprises that, somehow have to be navigated through and managed together. There were times when we were tested but endured.

Charles has been steadfast. Providing me and our family with unconditional love and consistently, with a quiet confidence that I've admired and relied upon. I have so much to be grateful for, and it all began with Charles and the promise we gave to one another. This life that we have shared is worthy of a memorable celebration!

 I admit to feeling the weight of time passing and the sense that opportunities to create lasting memories together won't always be there for us. This may well be the last opportunity to build some memories while we are all remain healthy and able to travel.  The grandchildren will all scatter. They will go off to college, graduate, find jobs and begin families of their own. 

A year ago we started planning such a celebration with our daughters and their families. Eighteen of us, in all! We had to take into account work and school commitments and needed them all to agree to the plan. In July we will all fly to Rome, Italy where we will spend a few days before boarding a Royal Caribbean Cruise that will take us to Salerno, Sicily, Santorini, Ephesus, Mykonos and finally Athens, Greece. We are all looking forward to it and I can hardly wait!