Fatherly inspiration key to learning the art of grace
When he spoke actual words, he always began with three: “For Godsakes, Betty…”
Betty is his preferred name for my mother, Elizabeth. He met her in high school when he was 16.
He told me again last week he knew immediately he would marry her and they did marry five years later.
Now they have six children, 17 grandchildren and nine great grandchildren.
Marriage is hard. Family is hard. Our clan wasn’t spared the challenges, setbacks and disagreements every family faces.
But the one constant that got us through is that my father deeply loves my mother. He dotes on her. He’s lost without her.
After more than 70 years together, my dad told me his heart still beats fast when my mother walks into the room — that they still hold hands every single night as they fall asleep.
A child is the last person on Earth to accurately evaluate his parents’ relationship. Theirs is intense and sometimes confusing to us — but, goodness, they love each other.
That is one of the best gifts parents can give their kids. My parents gave us a genuine love story — and here I am at 60 and they’re sharing their love story with me still.
And my father is inspiring me still.
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Copyright 2022 Tom Purcell, All Rights Reserved. Credit: Cagle.com
