I’m a romantic. I believe in happily ever after. I believe in love that lasts ‘until death us do part,’ to quote the words of the marriage service. This is the sort of love and union God planned when He made woman as a helper and partner for man, Genesis 3:20-22. Adam recognized this fact in the way he responded to the woman God made, verse 23.
God’s Word tells us; ‘For this cause a man shall leave his father and his mother, and shall cleave to his wife; and they shall become one flesh,’ Genesis 3:24. This verse, quoted by Jesus in Matthew 19:5 adds ‘consequently they are no longer two, but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together let no man separate.’ But it’s often not what we see in today’s society.
So, I just had to bring you this story. It brought tears to my eyes. Okay, as well as being a romantic I’m a sook (translation- a softie). But I’d defy anyone not to be touched and challenged by this story of a man and a woman married for 65 years, who spent their days together and went to death together, or near enough.
Married to Marie a week before Christmas 1942, Frank went off on the HMAS Platypus and later the HMAS Shropshire. After the war when he returned, Marie and Frank Cotton, lived togther, played together and worked together in their dental practice. In other words they ‘did just about everything together. And last ‘Monday after 65 years of married togetherness, they died together.’
Suffering from Alzheimer’s disease, three years ago Marie went into a nursing home, where after a heart attack, Frank joined her. He recovered enough to care for her until last week when 88 year old Marie died early on Monday. Frank said ‘he just wanted to grieve, then die.’ 89year old Frank died from a heart attack, (though one could suggest a broken heart,) on Monday evening.
Surely this marriage is a beautiful example of the kind of marriage God had in mind for men and woman. How do my marriage and yours measure up?
Bible Verses from The New American Standard Version
Please visit these related blogs
Keeping the Happily Ever After
Why I’m Happy to Submit to My Husband