Happy 50th Anniversary Sharon & Bob

I called my cousin, Sharon, early this morning.  She had been sick and I hadn’t heard from her in a week or so.  I could hear a bit of sadness in her voice when she said “hello”.   When I called her I wasn’t consciously aware that today was Sharon’s 50^th Wedding Anniversary.  Sometimes we get in touch with someone because another power pushes us.    Maybe today that power was Robert Frances Smith, husband extraordinaire.

Don’t you think there is reason to remember and celebrate an anniversary even when death so rudely intervenes?   Sharon has bravely resumed her life and Bob wouldn’t want it any other way but that doesn’t mean we cannot celebrate a beautiful man, an exceptional marriage, a once in a lifetime type of love.  

For a short while over the phone, we remembered together.    Sharon remembers that the night before her wedding she had a Manhattan and I offered her a back-rub to help her fall asleep.  We were up in the finished attic bedroom at 91 Craig Ave. in Freeport, Long Island.    Sharon's bridal gown and our yellow bridesmaids dresses were hung up around the room, waiting in anticipation. 

My Aunt Marie was downstairs sitting at the kitchen table visiting with Father James Meder.  He was the Chaplain in Korea who had said the Mass and had given my Uncle Joe communion the day before he was killed in action on Heartbreak Ridge.   He had come all the way from Kentucky to officiate at Sharon’s wedding.    I remember how nice it was to hear happy, quiet talk floating upstairs.  I remember that I was impressed that Sharon and Bob were taking this big step into marriage when I, myself, still felt like a little child.    In truth, Sharon was just barely 20 years old and Bob, the new “man of the house”, was a mere 21! 

Sharon fell asleep before I did.   I guess she was certain that she wanted to marry this guy named Bob and her heart was at peace.

Happy 50^th Anniversary, Sharon and Bob