 |
|
eMatrimony.org Supporting, Encouraging, and Challenging the WWME Community |
 |
 |
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
 |
|
| News - Local Lifelong Commitment - Celebrating Valentine's Day For a Lifetime Edited by Ralph & Dotty Cornette
Here is what our respondents wrote: The two of us certainly knew our commitment to each other was lifelong from the day we decided to marry. On our wedding day, our vows were spoken with deepest sincerity. “Our song” is Johnny Mathis’ The Twelfth of Never. In our after-Christmas visits this year to the homes of our siblings, we likewise saw lifelong commitment being lived out. Dot’s brother, Phil, tenderly cares for his ill wife, Claudette. Ralph’s brother, Joe, is lovingly cared for by his wife, Ruth. The love both of these couples share is quite visible. Ralph & Dotty Cornette, Winthrop, ME We see our long-term relationship as God’s gift to us. We were attracted to each other over 50 years ago, and we’re still crazy in love. The many years we’ve had together–through thick and thin–keep affirming our ex-perience that as long as we have each other, with the Lord’s graces, we can over-come whatever difficulty comes our way. We have a deep trust in each other. Over the years, we’ve learned that we can depend on one another. We recognize, too, that we need each other. Whenever we are at odds, it is almost natural for one of us to say, “What’s more important, this (the situation) or our relationship?” That com-ment quickly puts us back in a loving mode. Being together for so many years re-sults in our being very comfortable in each other’s presence; we are together almost all of the time, and feel empty when the other is not present. We’ve become both friends and lovers on the journey, enjoying every minute of it. God, please grant all married couples a long happy life together. Jack & Dee Drake, Kennebunkport, ME Our lifelong commitment has a very strong and positive affect on our relationship. Knowing that we are completely committed to each other, allows us to be “real” to the greatest extent with each other. We’re motivated to put effort into our relation-ship, which doesn’t allow complacency to erode our foundation of love. Our daily dialogue is a big part of maintaining and growing in our marriage. Knowing that we’ve made a lifelong commitment to each other, gives us self worth within our relationship. Cam & Lucille Auger, Harrisville, RI Lifelong Commitment is a given in our marriage. When Steve and I came back to-gether after 36 years out of touch, we very quickly knew that we were meant to spend the rest of our lives together. We had our rings engraved: “Into Eternity,” be-cause our commitment goes beyond our time on Earth. Knowing that we are together forever is relaxing. We know that we can get through whatever comes our way. We feel safe with each other, and that allows us the free-dom to be ourselves. Neither of us worries about how we say what we need to say to each other. We have a sense of togetherness as we meet others. We are unique individuals that together in our marriage are much more than we are separately. We have our individual activities and always come home to each other. Our love for each other is the center of our lives and radiates out to all around us. Martha & Steve Goss, Little Deer Isle, ME Lifelong commitment means that even after knowing each other for 28 years and be-ing married for 25 of those; when I’m diagnosed with prostate cancer, the first per-son I can turn to for support and the first face I see when I come out of surgery, is my wife Donna. And she knows if the situation were reversed, I would be that person for her. David & Donna Lachance, Biddeford, ME At Christmas we learned our 38 year old son has cancer. I like to think of our mar-riage as a three-legged race. When we hold onto each other and are in stride, we make progress toward the finish line. Well, we slipped and fell in the mud from our tears. Now the ground is frozen (thank-you God!) and we are able to support each other to get back up and find our stride again. Lifelong commitment to our 42 year marriage provides us with a shared history, love, hope, faith, determination, and laughter to get us through, when we are in stride, and when we aren’t. Blake and Alethé Donaldson, Thomaston, ME Lifelong commitment means devotion and trust for each other which is leading us to eternal happiness. Commitment is extended daily as we share our primary language of love - Service. A great reflection of the meaning of commitment is so pleasantly expressed in the words from a popular 50’s song Devoted To You (by The Everly Brothers) which chimes out “Darling, you can count on me...” “...through the years my love will grow...”. Carmel & Lucille Castonguay, Van Buren, ME We committed ourselves to the vocation of marriage for a lifetime. This affects our relationship because we strive to live intimately and work together to maintain that commitment. Tom & Anita Clavette, Daigle, ME Joe – Lifelong commitment to me means that no matter what our relationship is my number one priority. It is important to keep the lines of communication open to keep the relationship a priority. Knowing that I want to make our marriage a lifelong com-mitment, I will do whatever I can to make it happen. I don’t worry about “what if,” be-cause we both believe in our marriage as a lifelong commitment. Eileen – For me, our lifelong commitment gives me great security to know that we will always be together. It gives me an inner peace which allows me to be myself, yet be totally committed to our sacrament. It means that thoughts like “what if it doesn’t work” or “just in case he leaves me” have never occupied my head or driven my emotions. I have been free to be me and still have felt totally connected to Joe. Our lifelong commitment has been a cornerstone which we have built on for over 22 years. Joe & Eileen Walker, Dickson, TN Knowing that we share a lifelong commitment to our marriage gives
us both a sense of security. We both understand and trust each other
to “work” through any wrinkles or bumps along our journey
as well as “cherish” the joys and blessings. Our com-mitment
is a statement of our faith and deep love for one another. We are
content to be “us” forever. I (Dave) reflect on my parent’s lifelong commitment in their marriage. When my dad died, they had only been married for eighteen years. We have many memories of the example of their love, their commitment to each other and to our family, such an inspiration. Our relationship is precious. Our lifelong commitment is precious and we must cele-brate our love everyday. We pray together each day. We pray for each other, our family and for all those we know. We pray for all of you and for your love, families and your lifelong commitments. Dave & Ellie Mulcahy, Monmouth, ME (Fr. Bob McDonald celebrated 55 years of priesthood on February 2, 2005. Follow-ing is his reflection on Lifelong Commitment.) It was September 7, 1941. I had finished five years of preparatory seminary training, and was on my way with two classmates to our Novitiate. We were on the Ferry from the Battery in Manhattan to Staten Island, New York. We would be facing a full year of intense spiritual exercises, learning what it means to be professed as a member of the Society of Mary, the Marists. I recall vividly that boat ride. I was thinking of the lifelong commitment that I would be making. I realized I would be giving up marriage. I knew there would be difficult chal-lenges. I would have a full year to make up my mind. But as we passed the Statue of Liberty, on our way to a highly regulated life, something moved me to make the de-cision right then. I didn’t hear any voices. But the awareness of speaking with God was quite real. Free to change my mind at any time until my ordination to the priesthood another seven years ahead, I offered myself to the Lord, to follow wherever He would lead me. The feeling of joy came flooding into my heart! It was a feeling of being set free, a release from worry, a letting go of all fears. That year was one of the happiest years of my life. Immersed in study and prayer, I still took advantage of every opportunity to have fun. “The Shack” was our place for recreation. We were limited to classical music on the record player (No tapes or CDs in those days). I developed a love for Symphonies, especially Tchaikosky’s Third. (I still associate that one with Christmas). I especially enjoyed putting on skits, getting laughs aimed at ourselves, but including the Novice Master. (Catalyst in training?) On September 8, 1942, I made my temporary vows. That meant I was free to leave then, or renew for life. But our intention even then was a lifelong commitment. Early in the morning we boarded the train for Framingham, MA, to continue our studies for the Priesthood. But now I was a Marist. Many obstacles arose along the way. I even had to leave the Seminary and get a job for a while, to regain my health. My final profession was delayed a year. But that joy never left me, that sense of total freedom. Finally, on February 2, 1950, I was ordained a priest, a priest forever! We live in a world that does not believe in lifelong commitments. We are the ones God has chosen to be a light in the darkness. We are His Sacrament, letting the whole world see that Christ’s commitment of Love brings joy. Fr. Bob McDonald, S.M., Van Buren, ME Click here for a printable page (PDF, 20KB)
|