Celebrating Six Years of Marriage- And a Look Back
Posted: Friday, March 27, 2009
by Ken McCreless
RMS1437
Greetings Fellow Travelers...
I was going through some papers in my office this afternoon. I happened to find a very short- well, I don't really think it could be called a poem. It isn't a short story or even an article. It is just what was in my heart one night just a couple of weeks before we got married in February of 2003.
I wrote it on my computer and went to Wal Mart in the middle of the night to find the right paper to print it on. Once I found that, I looked for the right frame to put it in. It stayed in that frame until recently.
She wanted to hang a portrait of my children and myself, taken by a photographer hired by our church years before I met her, when I was still in school and we had no money. I was raising 4 kids alone, with a hurt and recovering back, no job and no car.
The church staff was putting together an album of the members and each family was to be given an 8 X 10 to keep. I was poorer than dirt, but I wanted that picture. So, my kids and I put on our best clothes, all of which had been given to us by the very church providing the portraits.
We did not even have a car at the time, and it was dark. The church was just about half a mile away, but the FM, (farm-to-market) road we lived on was bordered by a ditch that had been reduced to mud after a couple of days of rain.
But, with God's grace, we made it with just a bit of mud at the bottoms of our pants and our thin, donated jackets drenched. Since it was to be a portrait that did not matter. The mud was out of frame and we simply removed the jackets, brushing away any residual mud and rain that might ruin the picture.
The image is moving; a single dad with four kids, laughing as the shutter clicks, happy and in love with each other.
My wife, Janie, felt this needed a home more than her sentimental dedication. So, since she did not have enough time to go and buy one before I came home from the valley she made the switch.
The paper I chose is covered in lavender and features a lighthouse, my favorite symbol, with the light freshly lit and the sun setting in the background to the right of the lighthouse, and to the left, the keepers house.
So, in her honor, I give you, in its entirety and exactly as written, my untitled dedication.
I see her walking down the aisle. All attention is on her, as she is stunningly beautiful. I feel drawn to her, like a ship tossed by heavy seas is drawn to a lighthouse. She comforts me. I seek refuge from life's storms and she is always there, showing me the way. Not by dramatic and overbearing dominance, but by quiet strength. Though all can see her, and are benefited by her presence, her light shines only for me. She is my Guiding Light, and I love her.
Written by Ken McCreless to his Beloved Bride Janie
I was going through some papers in my office this afternoon. I happened to find a very short- well, I don't really think it could be called a poem. It isn't a short story or even an article. It is just what was in my heart one night just a couple of weeks before we got married in February of 2003.
I wrote it on my computer and went to Wal Mart in the middle of the night to find the right paper to print it on. Once I found that, I looked for the right frame to put it in. It stayed in that frame until recently.
The church staff was putting together an album of the members and each family was to be given an 8 X 10 to keep. I was poorer than dirt, but I wanted that picture. So, my kids and I put on our best clothes, all of which had been given to us by the very church providing the portraits.
We did not even have a car at the time, and it was dark. The church was just about half a mile away, but the FM, (farm-to-market) road we lived on was bordered by a ditch that had been reduced to mud after a couple of days of rain.
But, with God's grace, we made it with just a bit of mud at the bottoms of our pants and our thin, donated jackets drenched. Since it was to be a portrait that did not matter. The mud was out of frame and we simply removed the jackets, brushing away any residual mud and rain that might ruin the picture.
The image is moving; a single dad with four kids, laughing as the shutter clicks, happy and in love with each other.
My wife, Janie, felt this needed a home more than her sentimental dedication. So, since she did not have enough time to go and buy one before I came home from the valley she made the switch.
The paper I chose is covered in lavender and features a lighthouse, my favorite symbol, with the light freshly lit and the sun setting in the background to the right of the lighthouse, and to the left, the keepers house.
So, in her honor, I give you, in its entirety and exactly as written, my untitled dedication.
I see her walking down the aisle. All attention is on her, as she is stunningly beautiful. I feel drawn to her, like a ship tossed by heavy seas is drawn to a lighthouse. She comforts me. I seek refuge from life's storms and she is always there, showing me the way. Not by dramatic and overbearing dominance, but by quiet strength. Though all can see her, and are benefited by her presence, her light shines only for me. She is my Guiding Light, and I love her.
Written by Ken McCreless to his Beloved Bride Janie
Ken McCreless is just a guy who loves to write, and was born to do so. He is a freelance writer with several projects ongoing, including books and magazines. A huge fan of both irony and history, Ken has dedicated his life and his writing to serve the Lord Jesus Christ.
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Top-level comments on this article: (10 total)What a novel way to celebrate an anniversary - I like it.Thank you, Connor. Your words are important to me.
Ken,That is a beautiful tribute, a wonderful story and most importantly a superb ending (by the way, my husband and I had a shadow box made for his proposal to me which is framed as well as my flowers and it sits on our mantle).Many, many blessings on your anniversary and I'm glad you shared this,NancyIt always amazes me how the heart works. Thank you for your thoughts, I am so blessed to have supporters such as yourself.
Ken, what a treasure! Thanks for sharing your heart. You love for your family shines bright! You are truly blessed dear friend. Happy, Happy anniversary! Rock on! TeresaI am extremely blessed, Teresa. I don't know what I would do if I couldn't write!
Ken,Great way to celebrate a marriage. My wife and I will celebrate our sixth anniversary this Sept. Happy sixth!Thank you, Jeff. I am married to a wonderful lady who believes in me. It can't get better than that!!
Wow Ken, you drew tears to my eyes, what a beautiful dedication you wrote for your wife, and well done my friend. No wonder you like the symbol of the lighthouse, it all makes sense now that I read the dedication. And this article is flowing with sincere love for your guideing light of a wonderful wife, and the love for your children. Well done my friend , well done. I believe we can call that a free verse poem , and a wonderful story......Great and memorable read....your friend and fan, ........GaryThank you, Gary. I was, and am, amazed and grateful to have such a woman in my life who loves me and believes in me as Janie does. How did I get so blessed?
Wow! A very touching and heartmoving story. Thank you for sharing about this with us. Wish you all the best and may God add many more years of togetherness, joy, love and understaning between you and Janie.Regards,SwapnaThank you, Swapna. I am humbled to have such a wondeful life-partner and soul-mate. I wish the same for everyone in the world. War would come to an end. Thank you again for reading and commenting.
Very nice, touchy and wonderful details. And may God bless you abundantly both. May He grant you many more anniversaries. One suggestion: You should have put a picture of you both.Thank you, Chiradeep, I just may have to do that!
A wonderful, warm, and touching story, thank you so much for sharing.Linda DThank you, Linda. I am blessed.
Very nice Ken.Thanks Brianna. "Fortunate" does not begin to describe my state of being.
Very lovely, Ken. Ironically, I hear the soap opera, The Guiding Light is going off air after 72 years. It's the longest running soap ever. What you and Janie share is eternal because of your commitment to Him then each other. A touching story and a lovely "look back." I am honored to share this memory. You are terrific!I'm blushing here, Avis. Thank you so much for the kind words.
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