a tribute

This is what I read at my grandmother's service. It is a tribute to both of my grandparents really and the lessons they taught me.

Five years ago when I was married, I remember looking out over the sea of witnesses congregated there; all the examples of marriage and love and life long friendships assembled. I was starkly aware of on couple who was missing; my grandpa scott too ill to travel and my grandma scott who never left his side-- in my estimation, my grandparents had an epic love story. As I said my vows, I thought about how for my life, they had put flesh and bones to these words and showed me such a wonderful real living example of marriage. They truly loved well and loved much.

For better or for worse-

for worse- they met and married, yes, during the prime of their youth but also during perhaps the worst of times. A world war raging with an uncertain future; married before d-day planning had even started; they had no idea how it would turn out-- maybe that is why grandma was a german major. Grandpa in the navy; would he be shipped into harm's way? would he come back alive? how long would this war last? how many friends would be lost?

for better- raising 5 such uniquely wonderful children; summers at sand spring; weekends at the farm; traveling the world together. And then seriously, life couldn't get much better than when the parade of grandchildren stated to arrive. After all, we are a smart, overly attractive bunch, aren't we?

For richer, for poorer-

From the days of having boarders when grandpa worked for Sherwin Williams selling paint to the success and wealth they enjoyed as grandpa rose in tenure at Ford.

In sickness and in health-

They had many many years together in good health but for us, grandkids, it was the times after grandma got sick that we remember most. Her frustration with not being able to communicate fully yet her saying "Oh Will" with just the right tone or the right look spoke volumes to grandpa. How she would say 'yes' three times when she got excited usually over shopping or a Tiger's victory. Their enjoyment of life together did not seem to diminish after she got sick; I remember just as much laughter in the house after as before

To love and to cherish-

My childhood is filled with funny stories and memories of my grandparents, but what I remember most is their love for each other. They did not only love each other; they cherished each other just like their vows had said. I remember sitting in the living room when grandpa gave grandma a card, it must have been their anniversary. He read it to her and it was filled with just as much of the glow of that one true love that was contained in the telegrams he sent to her while they were dating that I found in the basement last night. They starred at each other like they were the only two in the room and his words were filled with such emotion. I know their lives had hard times but they made the decision to love through them and I believe their marriage just grew stronger and stronger right up until death do us part. And now they are together again. Their love and devotion to each other spoke volumes to me growing up and their marriage stands as true testament to us all.

We would all do well in our lives to live and love like they did; for better and for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish until death do us part. Not only in our marriages, but in our friendships and in our families, with our siblings and our children. Their love story was truly epic; one of an old time Hollywood movie. Their legacy will be carried on in us and will never die when we choose to love like they loved.