by Dorothy Johnson

 

And think not you can direct the course of love, if it finds you worthy, love directs your course. /Love has no other desire but to fulfill itself. The Prophet, Kahlil Gibran

I’ve been thinking about great love stories—not the short, tragic sort, but relationships of real-life people whose commitment and affection for one another have spanned years and seemed to grow stronger with each passing year.

And you were born together, and together you shall be forevermore. /You shall be together when white wings of death scatter your days. /Aye, you shall be together even in the silent memory of God. 

My Aunt Mary and Uncle Zack were beautiful examples of enduring love. He was only in his early 60s when he lost his battle with cancer. Aunt Mary was a one-man woman with no interest in dating. I know of at least one suitor she shooed away and there may have been more. She kept several of Uncle Zack’s shirts to wear around the house. I will never forget her telling me, “When I wear them, I feel his arms around me.” Aunt Mary soldiered on in her widowhood, and I believe there was great joy in heaven when those two were reunited.

When love beckons to you follow him, /Though his ways are hard and steep. 

When his wings enfold you, yield to him, /Though the sword hidden among his pinions may wound you. And when he speaks to you, believe in him,

I’m pondering the through-thick-and-thin, sometimes-by-the-skin-of-our-teeth, but-we-made-it kind of unions. They’re folks like my friends, Don & Donna, who are almost joined at the hip. Generally if you see one, the other isn’t far away. They used to work together, and now that they’re retired, they spend most of their time in one another’s company. That is, unless he’s hunting or she’s having lunch or coffee with the girls. Don’s been known to grumble about not getting to come along with her on coffee dates, but she doesn’t go hunting, so…

This pair will tell you that their marriage wasn’t always so good. Over the years, they faced big challenges, but they stuck together. Now they’re examples of stability and devotion.

But let there be spaces in your togetherness, /And let the winds of the heavens dance between you. /Love one another but make not a bond of love: /Let it rather be a moving sea between the shores of your souls…. /And stand together, yet not too near together: For the pillars of the temple stand apart, /And the oak tree and the cypress grow not in each other’s shadow.

 Last year, I had the privilege of attending two 50^th wedding anniversary parties for classmates. Larry & Carolyn and Bobby & Karen enjoy relationships a little different from Don and Donna’s.

Larry traveled for years because of his job while Carolyn held down the fort at home. Now that he’s retired and home all the time, they both enjoy part-time jobs, but they’re a team at church.

Bobby and Karen worked at the same company but never in the same department. In retirement, she thrives on lots of volunteer activities while he pursues other interests when they’re not at home together.

To wake at dawn with a winged heart and give thanks for another day of loving; To rest at the noon hour and meditate love’s ecstasy; /To return home at eventide with gratitude. /And then to sleep with a prayer for the beloved in your heart and a song of praise upon your lips.

Finally, there are duos like Terry and me, who although disappointed in love, didn’t give up on finding a lasting relationship. Last year we felt blessed to celebrate our 41^st anniversary. He and I have never worked at the same place, and we have very different interests. But we still thrive on being together when we’re not enjoying our individual hobbies or fulfilling other commitments.

Give your hearts, but not into each other’s keeping. /For only the hand of Life can contain your hearts. 

Whatever your situation—whether single or married, I pray you will truly understand how greatly you are adored by the author and true embodiment of Eternal Love.

The Lord appeared to him from far away. I have loved you with an everlasting love; therefore I have continued my faithfulness to you. Jeremiah 31:3

Note: If you’d like to read the complete passages “On Love” and “On Marriage” in The Prophet and learn more about Gibran, visit the following websites.

http://www-personal.umich.edu/~jrcole/gibran/prophet/prophet.htm.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Prophet_(book)