Marriage

29 Years

meghanewhite

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The mighty Mississippi River snakes through Vicksburg, Mississippi. Side note: close your eyes and spell Mississippi out loud. Try M-i-crooked letter-crooked letter-i-crooked letter-crooked letter-i-humpback-humpback-i. Does anyone else remember that from childhood?

Back to my story. In 2021, we went to Vicksburg, Mississippi to see the historic Civil War battle field. My husband is a huge Civil War buff so Vicksburg was on the bucket list. It’s an incredible place. I highly recommend it if you love history. I’m sharing this picture with the pretty view from Vicksburg National Military Park, as an ode to my husband, Tom.

September 30th, is our twenty-ninth wedding anniversary. We are one year away from three decades of marriage, which is incredible. As momentous as this milestone is, we won’t be celebrating with a fancy dinner out, or a trip to some fun destination. Tom has been in the hospital since Tuesday of last week. Kidney failure struck again, but this time the blow was the worst ever.

This is Tom’s third hospitalization in three and a half years. Dialysis started this week and it’s not something we ever wanted, who does. Tom is supposed to come home on our anniversary, which would be the best gift. No jewelry or expensive gifts for me, not that I am into any of that. Those are the stereotypical anniversary presents. All I want is my husband healthy, and I’m praying for it.

After decades of marriage, I can look back on the good and bad times, and always see God’s faithful hand in our lives. Right now is an extremely difficult time, and also an opportunity for us to once again see God’s hand healing, providing, and caring for us. I would never choose this for my husband but what my Heavenly Father is allowing is for our good and His glory. We trust Him.

Months ago I was in the kitchen slicing potatoes as I prepared dinner. I cut my finger and without hesitation Tom got up from the family room, grabbed the knife, and finished slicing the potatoes as I got a bandage. He was exhausted after working all night. But that’s what you do for the one you love. That’s what my husband does for me. That’s what we do for each other. We don’t have to discuss it, we just jump in and help each other in our time of need. That is real love.

I’m helping Tom right now with the strength that the Lord provides. We stick together, and stick up for one another. When the two became one, we feel each other’s pain, and help each other. Tom has helped me and lifted me up countless times. It’s my turn. Thank you God, for twenty-nine years of a wonderful marriage, not perfect, but blessed.

Therefore a man shall leave his father and mother and be joined to his wife, and they shall become one flesh. Genesis 2:24, NKJV

Love you all,

Meghan

Photo credit: Meghan E. White

Just for fun and a few laughs, a quote from The Princess Bride, one of Tom’s favorite movies. If you’ve never seen it you won’t get it. The rest of us get it.

The Impressive Clergyman:

“Mawage. Mawage is wot bwings us together today. Mawage, that blessed awangement, that dweam wifin a dweam. And wuv, tru wuv, will fowow you foweva. So tweasure your wuv.”

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Published by meghanewhite

24 thoughts on “29 Years”

  2. Your faith to God and your marriage is so beautiful. Thank you for continually shining Gods Love even in the midst of incredible hardship. We are standing firm and believing in Gods merciful Healing Hand on Tom. We love you. Happy Anniversary 🩷

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    1. Thank you so much, Jessie! That’s my prayer too. I’m praying for your dad. I wanted to leave a comment on your blog but I always have trouble for some reason. Anyway, thank you!

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  5. Praying for Tom. I pray that the Lord will heal him and he can be home for your anniversary. Happy anniversary to you two. May the Lord bless you with strength and peace at this time. Hugs and prayers 💙🙏🏽

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  7. Thanks Meghan for sharing your life with me! We are praying for Tom’s healing! Be blessed, my friend, with the love of your husband. Many in our generation don’t make it as far as we have; we are blessed! Happy 29th!

    Much love, Kerry!

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  9. My heart goes out to you and Tom, Megan. And to your boys. This brought tears to my eyes that you are having to go through it again. Praise God for the faith you both hold onto. He will not fail, no matter what the outcome is. I could feel the love you both have for each other and our Lord. I’ll be praying extra hard that Tom will come home on your anniversary and be the precious gift to each other you both want.

    I don’t remember if we stopped at Vicksburg during our travels throughout the country. We very well could have with all the battlefields we saw. But this spring, we’ll be moving close to the headwaters of the Mississippi in Bemidji, Minnesota. Itasca State Park is where the Mighty Mississippi begins it’s journey after meandering through Minnesota. At one point, years ago, it was only about a foot across. I remember, as a young girl, stepping over it and walking through the water for quite some time before it became deeper and wider. One of those beautiful childhood memories. I’m hoping and praying that someday you and Tom will be able to visit the headwaters, maybe even meet up with Arnie and me.

    God bless you both. Love you, Megan.

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    1. Thank you, Sharon. Yes, Tom was released on our anniversary. Thank God! We are taking it one day at a time right now, that’s all we can do. Tom started his weekly dialysis last week. Anyway, your prayers are appreciated!!
      I can’t believe you’re moving! We both live in Houston and have not got to meet in person. Maybe we can meet up before you leave.
      Thanks for all your support and encouragement! Love you too!

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      1. I’d love to get together before we leave. We’re aiming for April 15th to be in Menahga, Minnesota. This last hurricane did it for us. We’ve had all we can take. We’re headed for the town I spent so many summer in as a youth, where my mother was born and raised, and were I still have scads of relatives still living. Can’t wait.

        With Tom not well right now, you just decide when you’d like to get together and we’ll do it. Take care and God bless both of you.

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    1. Hi Colleen. Tom came home from the hospital on our anniversary. He’s been on a weekly dialysis treatment schedule ever since. The dialysis has been a big adjustment and he’s exhausted. We are waiting on getting peritoneal dialysis which we would manage at home. It’s been very overwhelming at times. Definitely a spiritual battle. We continue to pray for healing and trust God. Thanks for your care and concern.

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