For 55 years I was a single person. I was never lonely. I was always busy at Church, partial care giver for my mom and devoted to my sister and her family. I was physically fit and ran daily. I did things as a single person that I could not have done as a married man. I traveled and went to folk music concerts in Winnepeg and the US. I had a full and interesting life.
I dated a few women who I thought were the loves of my life, but it never worked out. Some that liked me, I wasn’t thrilled. One in particular whose name was, Sandy, was a nurse for the Florida Department of Human Services. Her clients were her children. She dedicated her life to these children. She didn’t want children of her own, but I did. She wasn’t Catholic but was the Parish nurse for her Church. I was young enough that I wanted children of my own.
When I met my future wife, Anna, who was a widow. Our first four dates were in separate cars. I finally asked her to watch Christmas lights, and we had to be in the same vehicle. Anna also became a Parish nurse.
After we married we were the same people with similar but different wants and desires. We were the same but something changed almost immediately after we were married. They are no longer two, therefore, but one body.
We became one person.
Anna and I will be married 25 years in February of next year. We have been through health issues and financial issues. We have had death of her oldest son and stepson. We have been through life’s ups and downs, but we are one.
Many people at the Church of Saint Mary’s are amazed at the love we show for each other and how well we take care of each other. I often quote the above scripture of the two becoming one.
I am not sure if everyone entering marriage today realizes what will happen when they say, ” I do”. A married couple can not operate in two worlds. We can’t be single paee become one.
I respect and celebrate single people who are happy and productive. I also celebrate married people who are happy, productive and live their vows. I have little respect for adulterers. Princess Diana said that a marriage can get very crowded with three people in the marriage.
The annulment process is a beautiful and holy way of correcting a marriage entered into under the wrong assumptions. Now I say this to you: the man who divorces his wife – I am not speaking of fornication – and marries another, is guilty of adultery.’ Divorce with physical or mental abuse is not a valid marriage. The are reasons for divorce. There is no reason for adultery.
So, if we are single celebrate it. If we are married celebrate the fact that the two of you are one. Let anyone accept this who can.
God Love You Always
Bob Burford
PS: Please Pray for Cancer victims and their caregivers. Pray for the conversion of Russia and the salvation of the Ukrainian and Russian people and their soldiers. Pray for the Holy Land. Pray for peace!
