Thirty-one Years Today.

     Thirty-one years ago today, I married a kid named Gary.  We were both babies, I was seventeen and he was nineteen.  Bets were probably being made on how long it would last.  And yet, here we are thirty-one years and ten kids later, we are still going strong.  Has it been easy? NO! Marriage is not easy. You go through bad times and good times, but what makes it worth it is when you come out the other side of those times and you're stronger for them.
     I have been taking notes to write a book about marriage someday, even if it is only for my children.  One of the chapters will be titled, RESPECT.  You can't emphasize it enough.  People tend to treat their spouse so bad these days you see it everywhere.  It is so sad.  If you treat each other without respect in front of your children guess what is going to happen when they grow up.  They won't be treating either of you with respect because you have set up a pattern of behavior. 
     Another chapter will be titled, Your Public Relationship.  Don't tear each other down in front of family and friends.  Build each other up or if your angry, say nothing at all.  The old saying, If you have nothing nice to say, say nothing at all, are words of wisdom we should all live by.
     Another chapter is, Be Grateful.  We can all think of something more we want in life, that little something that will just make everything perfect.  I discovered many years ago, that that one little thing will become another little thing upon acquisition of that little thing.  I think as human beings we are never satisfied and as American's we are very materialistic.  And I am as guilty as the next person, although the older I get the more I realize, I truly have all that I need with my family, friends, and church.  
     These are a few of my thoughts on marriage as I look back over the years.