JUNE 30, 1978

HAPPY 30th ANNIVERSARY!!!!

How does one even begin to express the joy that I feel in my heart and soul for being blessed to have been married to the most wonderful man for 30 years? The bottom line, I can't Anything I write here is a feeble attempt to try to convey what is in my heart. My cup truly runneth over.

My wishes, that both of my parents were alive to see this day. My daddy came close, my mom not so. They had their doubts about Merrill and in the end they both knew that he was all that I ever really needed and in him I could really have everything I ever dreamed of.

How does one really reflect over the past 30 years of life. Life in and of itself is just amazing. We all go through up and downs. We all face day to day challenges that at times we are not sure we will ride it out. Many times we lose the battles, but in the end we really win the war. We have had to say goodbye to so many people that we loved and cherished. Some of those went in a proper time frame, many of those did not. Although many might think of their children first, I am instantly drawn to thoughts of my mama. She had no faith in Merrill, she really just did not like him. But in the last three years of her life, she fell in love with him and he knew it. God helped her and she let Him assure it that all would be well.

Naturally we both reflect on our two children, gone yet always a part of our lives. Malachi and Jason are the reason we have continued to adopted the children that society seems to feel is just not as important as the rest. Little do they know that many times they are standing in the presence of angels on earth. I feel that God chooses just a few lucky parents to raise these children. I am so thankful that He has chosen us. All of our children have come to us by way of adoption. Many well meaning people sell this short saying that we do not really understand, maybe we have not felt all that they have felt, but we have felt the horrors of cancer. Pain is pain. Who really has the right to decide whose pain is worse....in the end, it all hurts.

How does one really express that the reality of it all is that I have everything I could have ever dreamed of? Both of our families moved a lot when were were growing up. We wanted stability. Here we are in the same home now for nearly 18 years. All of our children have been raised in this home for at least part of their lives. They all call this home. This means more to me than anyone can really begin to imagine. We hope to live out the remainder of our lives right here, the place where our children all call home.

We both wanted a lot of children. We faced infertility head on and again lost. BUT, it did not stop us from doing what we wanted to do and that was to have children, a lot of children. Today that number is 17 and counting. We no longer think about if we are done or not. You see, God is in control and when He says we are done, well, then we will take Him at his word. Until then we trust that He will provide us with all we need to meet the needs of the children He sends our way. There are things we have wished for, things that would have made this job a little easier, but I can honestly say that we have wanted for nothing that we have really needed. He promised to supply all of our needs and that He has done, over and over.

We are rather old fashion in many, if not all ways. Our vows were old fashion. We have put them to the test and they have stood the test of time. Merrill had back problems early one and I stood by him. He faced unemployment and together we stood united. I have given him a run for his money in the health issues. He has been there when they were not sure I would make it through the night, but he stayed. He stood by me and he took care of me. He still takes very good care of me. What more could any person want than their very own knight in shining armor?

We are one in every way I can think of. We do nothing alone. We are a team. Right or wrong, good or bad, we do what we feel is right and we do not look back. We have made more than our fair share of mistakes, but we forge forward and we continue to hold fast in our faith in God and then our faith in each other.

No one knows what tomorrow holds, but thank the Good Lord Merrill and I know who holds tomorrow. We will continue to stand fast, together. Who knows, maybe we will be one of the blessed few that will actually see another 30 years together. If not, I look forward to every minute that we will continue to share, together, one day at a time.

I love you Merrill....I knew it June 30, 1978 and I know it even more today.

All My Love To the Very Man Of My Dreams, Roberta