56 years

Today marks the 56th anniversary of the marriage between Papa Bud & Moma Jo.

They were married Wednesday, August the 19th 1953 in Blue Ridge, Georgia.

As a couple, they experienced the worst thing that can ever happen to parents when on March 2, 2002--year #50-- my uncle, their youngest son, Clyde Olen died from a seizure related illness.

I will always remember the night that Clyde died.

Our Pastor was there in the den with us all. Papa Bud held tightly to Moma Jo's hand and kissed her cheek as she wept. They were grieving but they were going to grieve together. They were a force--the two of them when they were united. The image of him cradling her during the darkest hour they had ever faced as a couple, as parents, was so powerful to me. It reinforced the scripture "but the greatest of these is love".

I will always remember the last day that Papa Bud was awake, Monday August 3rd.

He could barely speak but as we stood by his hospital bed he kept wanting Mama Jo by his side.
As she stood next to him he looked deeply into her eyes. He said, "I will always love you" and kissed her. She asked him, "Are you going to sing for me"?
He nodded 'yes' and tried to sing to her "YOU ARE MY SUNSHINE". It reinforced the scripture "love is as strong as death, its jealousy unyielding as the grave. It burns like blazing fire, like a mighty flame"

56 years of marriage.
4 children-3 of which survive.
4 granddaughters. 2 grandsons.
3 great granddaughters. 4 great grandsons.
1000's of tears that have fallen since 8/5/09.