Today marks 21 years of wedded bliss. We went out for a nice dinner last night - didn't make it to the Museum due to the time so we'll go next week.
We always keep things simple. We don't exchange gifts - and we didn't even give each other cards. I just have never cared for holidays or these special days for myself. I've never cared to be the center of attention. It's uncomfortable for me. I like the good old, regular days much better. I don't know where that comes from, but thankfully it works for both of us.
Sure we acknowledge it to each other - I'm making his favorite meal, Lasagna. We just try and make every day special and I am content.
Yes, here we are - 21 years younger.
In the past 21 years, we have had eight close family members pass away
I had two of my absolute best friends die, unexpectedly
We've had four moves
four jobs between us
lost two beloved dogs and five cats
Saw the wedding of my youngest son
and the divorce of my stepdaughter.
No grandchildren, but we have gained a daughter (in-law)
There have been two car accidents where the vehicles were totaled
and we've bought three new cars.
We've had good times, and trying times. We're still here.
A year into our marriage Michael died. That was a hard time for us because he wanted to fix it all and he couldn't.
We've gone through hard times financially in the beginning to being comfortable. I think the hardest was blending our children together. In the beginning, my sons didn't like him. He has one daughter up in Washington, that doesn't want anything to do with me, her dad, and her bio mom. I've never met her. I don't expect I ever will. Then there is his youngest daughter who is 42. She has an intellectual disability, however, she is 100% independent and lives on her own in the same town as us. She can be "trying" at times - but I let her father handle her and stay out of it.
Now, my two remaining sons, love and respect him. They don't call him, "Dad" but they do like to be with him - they go hiking and camping on their "all guys weekends." They have a good relationship. It's nice now. When Navy married, they asked my husband to pray a blessing over them at the altar with his tallit. It was a very special moment that brought me to tears - especially after the hard times in those early years.
The LOVE BIRDS
I am pleased to announce that Liberty (the Mom) and Guardian (the dad) laid their first egg on Valentine's Day. How cool is that?
I have been watching the Redding Eagles on the webcam since I moved here in 2008.
We did have a scare yesterday - It was noted that the mom, Liberty, left the nest at 6am and left dad to sit on the egg. 12 hours later she still had not returned. We were getting ready to go out to eat - eagle watchers like myself were concerned.
Here this majestic male eagle had the instincts to care for the egg - turning it, repositioning himself, all the while looking for his mate. The group, Friends of the Redding Eagles, had boots on the ground, to look for her.
By the time we came home, I checked, and she had returned!
Maybe she needed a spa day after laying that big egg!
So now we're waiting for Liberty to lay her second egg, possibly tomorrow.
Here is the live webcam for your enjoyment.
Enjoy,
Debby
I was glad to read about you and your husband's years together. Things are not always easy, but your love is strong. And how gorgeous she is, the eagle mom.
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary! We celebrate ours much like you do, but we do give each other a card. However, with the price of cards, we may stop that! :)
ReplyDeleteI loved reading about your sons relationship with your hubby. What a blessing.
Those eagles are so majestic.
Hi Debby - Happy Anniversary! It was nice to learn more about you and your family. It was very interesting to read about the Eagles. I sure hope that the Eagle egg hatches successfully. I will come back and visit again soon.
ReplyDeleteThere has been some bad news about the first egg - magpies got to it. But Liberty did lay another egg #2 yesterday.
DeleteHappy anniversary - you have gone through a lot together.
ReplyDeleteLove eagles too.
Well, the eagles sure can do something that we cannot...delay a birth! Nature tells animals so many things that we do not know. Happy Anniversary!
ReplyDeleteBoy isn't that the truth!
DeleteHappy Anniversary! Wishing many more years of happiness together.
ReplyDeleteThe eagles are very interesting, I can see why you keep an eye on them.
watching nature close up is rewarding but one has to accept that nature in the wild is raw - things happen.
DeleteDearest Debby,
ReplyDeleteI'm exactly like you—having lived through rough times and lots of hardships, gifts, cards or whatever is no longer important. We're grateful for just being alive and having some rest in our life! An ordinary routine day is the BEST and luckily we can look back on many of them.
Such a sad thing with your other half's daughters. But there is nothing or very little that we can do about it but pray!
The loss of your Michael must have been dreadful but knowing that he is at Peace and his soul is near you and the other way around. We will meet all our loved ones one day—our souls never die and Faith is what keeps us sane.
Very special that your youngest asked your husband for praying that blessing—an honor!
Living in harmony and at peace is such a wealth.
People that hunt for other riches miss the essence of life.
Being contend is so important and also for enjoying the many little miracles that we can see unfold all around us—that is happiness!
Big hugs,
Mariette
Oh, how wonderful that your eagles have laid an egg on Valentine's Day! That's the same day we discovered that our Sand Hill Cranes had laid an egg, and we don't know yet if there is just one or two. I can't tell from this distance. Wish I had a webcam where I could see closer. Time will tell. How exciting for you to be where you keep up with the eagles like that. Yes, you've had a wonderful 21 years together, much like the rest of us, filled with ups and downs, joys and hardships...but the important thing is you are still together and loving life together. Those hardships and struggles tend to make us stronger in the long run, even though there are times in the midst of them that we may often want to give up and run away. So thankful to God that He helps us get back on the right track. Happy Anniversary, and I pray you will have many more happy years together!! Have a blessed and wonderful weekend!
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary, You and your husband have been through a lot over the years and your anniversary is a testament to your love and strength! My husband and I usually will go out to a nice dinner for your anniversary at some fancy restaurant somewhere! That's the only time we eat at restaurants like that! I like your picture, Very Sweet!
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary.
ReplyDeleteI feel just as you do about the 'special' days.
Happy Anniversary!
ReplyDelete21 years is nothing to sneeze at I hope there are many more good years to come
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary to you and your husband. I myself don't like the pressure of gifts for every holiday but do like getting the cards. Jim and I would ususally get each other a card and maybe some pieces of holiday candy for things like Valentines day. For birthdays we alway took the other person out to a favorite restuarant.
ReplyDeleteInteresting to learn a new fact about the birds as well.
Leslie
We always go out to eat - the night before we went out for a nice steak dinner.
Delete21 years is wonderful I hope you have many more great years together
ReplyDeleteHappy Anniversary. Wishing you both many more years of happiness.
ReplyDeleteVery interesting information about the eagles. Nature always seems to know best.
God bless.
Happy 21st anniversary to you and your husband ❤️. 🌹 we had our 45th anniversary in Oct. We went on the Willamette Queen sternwheeler in Salem OR for our time together. Thanks for sharing your life together and you keep on going together. Have a good week. God bless.
ReplyDelete