My hero, my husband Jack, turns 78 today. It’s amazing to realize that we have been married for more than half of his life (and more than two-thirds of mine).
Cindy, Jack’s brother David’s wife, shares Jack’s birthday—but even though she’s only a fraction of his age, she says she’s not having any more birthdays.
This photo of Cindy and Jack is from their last birthday party. David and Cindy live in China so we don’t always get to celebrate together.
At their joint birthday party two years ago, fourteen family members got together at a restaurant. This year, David and Cindy are bringing lunch over to our house for a quiet celebration. We had a lovely dinner with Jack’s sister Carol and her husband Sam last week, so Jack is getting to celebrate twice.
He still looks much younger than his age, but he’s slowed down a little. He is convinced that he has disproved a popular theory. They (whoever “they” are) say it’s impossible to use all the capacity of our brains. However, Jack says his brain is so full that there’s no room for anything new. He has a wonderful memory for the long-ago, but his short-term memory is like that of a goldfish (which we’ve heard is five seconds!). Couple that with his poor hearing, and we have some good laughs over what he understands compared to what was actually said. His sense of humor is still as strong as ever.
We’re content to spend most of our time at home. Once a week we have our big outing to Wal-Mart about 2 AM. There are lots of stockers filling the shelves, so there’s someone on just about every aisle to ask for help, but there are seldom any other customers in the store. Jack gets on one of the little scooters and sets off with a short list while I take the shopping cart for my part of the list. After grocery shopping, we have breakfast at IHOP or Denny’s and always enjoy our weekly date.
God truly blessed me when He brought Jack and me together!
WATCH over thy servant Jack, O Lord, as his days increase; bless and guide him wherever he may be, keeping him unspotted from the world. Strengthen him when he stands; comfort him when discouraged or sorrowful; raise him up if he fall; and in his heart may thy peace which passeth understanding abide all the days of his life; through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. ~ 1928 Book of Common Prayer