In Sickness and in Health

 June 15, 2020

Guest post by Ken Wyatt on how stress related to growing old together can tear a couple apart or  be a catalyst for greater intimacy.

In Sickness and in Health

We are at a time in life when the body has left its youth behind and finds itself in an increasing struggle to preserve physical well-being. In nearly 50 years of marriage, we have been fortunate.

No life-threatening illnesses. Some minor surgeries. Overall, both of us are in tolerably good health. Still, we understand the reality for those who live and love together long enough:

Eventually, if your own health does not fail, you see your contemporaries begin to experience serious problems – cancers, heart issues, tumors benign and malignant, and yes, ultimately death.

Not long ago, a friend’s wife survived two years of lung cancer only to succumb to the disease. At this writing, our daughter has Stage 4 cancer – “incurable but treatable” – but continues to be vigorous and active even with the prognosis. It all brings back echoes of our wedding vows: “In sickness and in health, ‘til death do us part.”

Those stresses sometimes drive couples apart. But they may also become a catalyst for greater intimacy, a renewal of love and commitment, a growing and tender regard for the other’s well-being, and a cherishing of every day together, whatever the circumstances.

Ken

Reflections:  How do you handle the stresses that are part of every marriage? Are you able to turn them into a catalyst for greater intimacy?

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This reflection is taken from the book, Marriage Moments II:  Michigan Edition, by Patricia M. Robertson, Kenneth Wyatt and Brad Flory. If you have a Marriage Moment you would like to share, please email me at patricia@patriciamrobertson.com. I look forward to hearing from you. Also, be sure not to miss a Marriage Moment. Sign up to follow this blog.

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