Marriage

 Brad and I recently celebrated out 23rd wedding anniversary.  The 23 years have been full of adventure and as we have climbed the mountain that is life together there have been many moments of collaboration and fun that have resulted in joy but I would be remiss to not say that there have been moments of excruciating hard work and discord that have resulted in sorrow too.  I want to share these words of wisdom that I treasure to bring hope to all when they need to dig deep in marriage.

For Love in a time of Conflict by John O' Dononue, a Book of blessings.

When gentleness between you hardens 
And you fall out of your belonging with each other.
May the depths you have reached hold you still.

When no true word can be said, or heard

And you mirror each other in the script of hurt,

When even the silence  has become raw and torn, 

May you hear again an echo of your first music.

When the weave of affection stars to unravel

And anger begins to sear the ground between you,

Before this weather of grief invites the black seed of bitterness to find root,

May your souls come to kiss.

Now is the time for one of you to be gracious,

To allow a kindness beyond thought and hurt,

Reach out with sure hands to take the chalice of your love,

And carry it carefully through this echoless waste

Until this winter pilgrimage leads you

toward the gateway to spring.