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This is a story about happiness that began 60 years ago.

Keep in mind that even a story of happiness has it’s share of sadness, tears and woe.

She was working at a diner…when he saw her and was swept away.

He kept returning to that diner each and every day.

Yes, he continued eating at that diner even though the food was not that great

until he gathered up enough nerve to ask her for a date.

And from that chance meeting in the diner…once he overcame his fears

this couple never parted…and were married 60 years.

Their friends smile when they say with conviction and with pride.

in all the time they’ve known them…they are happiness personified.

They’ve watched them through their joyous times…with friends and family

when love, joy, laughter and smiles appear so easily

They’ve watched when tragedy struck…how their love always had the knack

amidst their tears and sorrow…to gently ease their smiles back.

For 60 years through their ups and downs from that first day they both knew

their love for one another and their faith in god would help to see them through.

It’s a love story for the ages…but as we know life’s not always fair

and 60 years together is all they’d get to share.

For he is now he’s in heaven…they’re finally spending time apart…

and she is left with wonderful memories…and a whole within her heart.

So why is this a story about happiness…you ask…when it’s ending is so sad… 

because it’s about all the joy, happiness and love for 60 years they had…

For 60 years they shared a love that no sorrow could destroy

because this ending would not be so sad…If their life had not been filled with so much joy.

I imagine that is both the gift and the curse of love…of finding someone you adore…

that even after 60 years of happiness…you still yearn for one day more.

Before we left on our summer trip it was important for Deborah and me

to get together and spend some time with our friends and family.

And…as the love, the laughter, and the conversations overflowed with ease

in every case I was struck by one of life’s dichotomies:

Have you ever had those moments of joy experienced with family and friends…

when life, in that moment, seems so perfect you don’t want it to end?

Conversely, have you ever had moments of sorrow experienced with family and friends 

when life, in that moment, seems so sad and painful you can’t wait for it to end?

This is the dichotomy of time…how it is impossible to master…

how we wish some moments would linger longer…

while others would fly by a whole lot faster.

One moment we’re looking at our young face in the mirror with a smile

And the next we’re looking at some old person with a groan.

One minute our children are young and little 

and the next they’re fully grown.

It makes you realize how each moment is precious…

and…whether hoping that moment will linger 

or that it will quickly end…

how each moment is made more precious when spent with family and friends.

Which is why as long as the mastery of time remains one of life’s great mysteries…

I hope you’ll always find me surrounded by family and friends

searching for any joy I can

in the midst of her dichotomies.

It’s funny as a child there there were so many things I knew nothing about 

and it filled my little heart with woe…

because of all the things I wanted to learn…

all the things I did not know

But now that I am older…

I am no longer filled with woe

about the things I never learned 

about all the things I do not know.

In fact I’m happy…

the older and older I grow

to be excited and surprised

by all the things I do not know.