Yesterday was one of those days that we will never forget. It is also hard to sum up all that happened. In the morning we stopped by Birch Bay State Park, near our home, and picked up the key to the Heron Center, a community building at the park. Then we headed in to church, where we did some of our usual chores getting ready for children and families. Soon it was time for worship to begin. During the time with children, I didn’t bring any props for my story, because there were nine children present who are members of my family. I told all of the children that what I brought for the story was my friends - the nine children who are my grandchildren and great nieces and nephew. At the end of the service, Susan and I repeated our wedding vows to each other in front of the congregation as witnesses. When we did so, family members stood with us in the chancel. I think I may have been as emotional at that moment as I was when we exchanged vows for the first time fifty years ago.

After church, we rushed to a local store to pick up the cakes for our celebration, stopped by our house to pick up some other items, and headed down to the Heron Center. When we got there we set up and soon guests began to arrive for our open house.

I told one of our guests that my family is rarely calm or quiet and that statement was proven by the arrival and set up of a group of African drummers and dancers who performed as part of our anniversary gift from my brother and his wife. Everyone got into the spirt of the day, dancing and clapping along.

That was followed by family pictures, taken by a friend of ours who drove up from Long Beach to share in our celebration. We had supper at the Heron Center. Clean up was a breeze with family members helping to put away tables and chairs, sweep floors, and load items into our pickup truck. There were lots of hands to help unload and clean up at the house as well. By the time we slipped into bed all was in place for a brunch that we will serve this morning.

This short summary of the day doesn’t begin to tell the story of all of the love and support and good wishes we received. It doesn’t begin to tell the story of the emotions we experienced. Some things are simply to wonderful to express in words.

As I lay in bed after the long and wonderful day, I remembered another late evening when I was very exhausted. On that evening I sat in a chair next to a hospital bed in the ICU of Rapid City Regional Hospital. That day had not gone at all the way I had expected. I had gotten up early to prepare for a visit to the hospital before officiating at a funeral service. After the service, my plan was to catch up with some desk work, including writing another funeral service for later that week. I was tired because I had officiated at a large funeral a couple of days earlier, led worship the day before, and had been spending as much time as possible at the hospital. In the bed next to where I was sitting, my wife was resting with a ventilator tube down her throat. Under her shoulder was a port with the tubes from a dozen IV pumps transporting medicines to her. Near the bed was a monitor displaying heart and respiration rates. Outside the room the nurses station was buzzing with activity. I could hear periodic announcements over the PA system about activities and needs in other parts of the hospital. I recalled the love and prayers that had been given by colleagues, friends and family throughout the day. I knew that our son would soon arrive at the airport and join me at the hospital.

I prayed, “Dear God, please let me have another hour, another day with her. I would trade anything for one more conversation.”

I got that hour and that day and that conversation. I got to watch as she recovered and was released from ICU, from the hospital, and little by little gained her strength back. I felt the love of family and friends as she and I were blessed to be able to go on walks every day. We returned to our work and a little more than a year later retired and moved to be closer to where our son lives. There is a lot more to the story. As I remembered last night, I was deeply aware that my prayers were answered beyond my wildest expectations.

I know that there are others with different stories. I know that the prayers of those whose loved ones die are as fervent and genuine as mine. I know that the blessings I received are not the product of anything that I did.

It isn’t possible for me to adequately express my deep gratitude for the blessings of my life. At our celebration yesterday no one had the opportunity to ask me, “What is the secret of success of your marriage?” I wouldn’t have been able to answer if they had. What I do know is that we didn’t get to this place in our lives by ourselves. We have been surrounded by love and care every step of the way. As I stood in front of the church, surrounded by family, looking out at friends, remembering so many other times, I was overwhelmed with a sense of gratitude. The glow of that feeling continues as I write this morning.

50 years of marriage is the product of so many people who have done so much to express love and show support. From a compassionate nurse who sat with me in the hospital waiting room to the grandsons who helped carry items to our pickup yesterday, to you who read my words, there are thousands and thousands who have invested in our marriage. We could not have done it alone. We never had to do it alone.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! Words cannot express my gratitude.