In my own family, we are not a huggy, kissy family. The water engineer doesn't do Valentines Day. In fact, today he is thousands of miles away on a work assignment. So no flowers or chocolate for me. I show Valentines day in a different light.
Today, my pastor Jonathan Dove gave his sermon on a Passionate Marriage.
It's easy to fall in love and dream of wedding bliss.
It's hard to stay in love and live in the realities of married life.
Two sets of couples from Church and my ESOL class celebrate their 60th anniversaries. They must have their secret recipe. I would like to post their photos, but I did not ask for their permission.
This is my personal story of the greatest love story on earth.
The year was 1945.
Dad was 20,
Mum was 16.
They had to marry.
No, it wasn't a short gun wedding.
In fact they were absolute strangers.
Their families feared,
Mum would be snatched to be a sex slave of the Japanese army,
Dad would be conscripted to the Japanese army.
This photo in 1970 was the result of this unusual union.
I wish I could say, they were married happily ever after.
They were until,
Fate had a cruel twist.
Mum died an untimely death in 1988.
Dad loved her, and he pined for her everyday.
Here's another kind of love that touch my heart.
My six foot tall nephew Andrew,
Hand in hand,
He walked with his one year old son.
Andrew was patiently telling Benjy stories.
It was quite painful to watch,
As little Benjy toddlered,
sometimes stopping.
It could be easier,
It could be faster,
Just to pick him up.
So Andrew did.
In spring.
Love is in the air.
I love it when I see the little ones in Western Springs.
Adult geese protect their goslings.
The Australian coots feed their baby.
This photo is the epitome of Love.
Growing old together.
It doesn't matter if you are in a scooter,
and I am with a walker.
We can still smell the flowers in the park.
Sunday Stills, the next challenge: Valentines Day
Posted in Sunday Stills, Sunday Stills Challenge of the Week, the next challenge with tags Sunday Stills, Sunday Stills Challenge on February 7, 2010 by Ed
I figured since next Sunday is Valentines day I’d throw this out and see what ya’ll can come up with. Creativity is a must and I’m sure there will be some funny photoshops..;-)
http://sundaystills.wordpress.com/
22 comments:
Thanks for stopping by my blog. This was a very nice post. I appreciate you sharing family photos!
interesting story! happy valentine's day!
Great story..:-)
I love the story of your family. I love the family photo too. It makes me think, and appreciate that I don't have to worry about the things your parents did. The years they stayed together are a true love story.
Very very thoughtful post. In the past the realities of parenthood stopped many of us from thinking about Valentine's Day.
Have you seen Fiddler on the Roof? Teyve has a great angle on love...
Cheers.
what a story! thanks for sharing
Hi - yes working but now enjoying it .......We have a few more Toms than you :O) Well so far anyway - will see how they fare .... loads of green fruit ...
Thanks for visiting my blog! The hearts were not there for me but for my daughter! Yep young love!
Love the way you wrote all these lovely things on Valentine's day. Thanks for sharing and wishing you a happy Valentine's day.
Enjoyed the story of your family. Thanks for sharing and happy Valentine's day to you.
A perfect story Ann and some wonderful photos.
Too bad your hubby is so far away today.
Happy Valentine's Day.
There are lots of beautiful love stories out there. Your Mom married young, which is common during her time. My grandmother was 15 when she married. Nowadays the young adults are getting married later and some don't even want to get married.
I didn't queue for my bak kwa.... although I love eating it, I don't find it worth my while to queue for such expensive CNY snacks. :)
Great post for a meaningful day.
That's the true valentine spirit,
growing old together with our love ones,
so sad i wouldn't have that chance
so have to cherish whatever i have
and be happy.
A wonderful and moving post, Ann. Thanks for sharing your parents story, they are an inspiration. I look forward to growing old with my husband, I can just see us hobbling along with our canes and stopping to smell the flowers!
Wonderful stories to remind us love is more than just the good times! Thank you for your kind comments, we are optimistic that all will go well.
Thanks for reminding us of the love we have for our families and spouses. What a wonderful life your parents had.
I love your story and the photos. Bittersweet.
Thank you for sharing.
Your story was very interesting as were the photos of your family. An excellent post~
My mom too married at 18 and it was an arranged marriage.
What a touching heartfelt post Ann..it was lovely..I really enjoyed it:)
First touching love story, next is a story of unconditional love and then a beautiful family of goslings. How romantic. Happy Valentine's Day and Happy Chinese New Year!
Love your story about your mum and dad. So very interesting. All your photos are great for Valentines Day and speak of love so wonderfully!
Great Ann. I like the last one best.
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