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Monday, October 13, 2008

I don't know where the time has flown.


Honestly, I don't.

Today is the 32nd Anniversary of Ms. Conroy and my covenant of relationship.

I really don't know how that happened. Not that we've been together for 32 years. That's never been a question. Okay, rarely has it been a question. We are human, afterall, just like other couples.

The question is, how has so much time flown by so quickly?

We had a lovely dinner last night with Jack and Chris Spong. Chris made a fantastic grilled salmon and Jack made an amazing blackberry and apple pie. At the end of the dinner, Jack looked across the table at me and said, "Young lady,"(he has always called me 'young lady') I do like the gray streaks in your hair, but I'd like to know when that happened."

"Oh," I said, "about the same time you started to get gray at the temples. It's just that, because your hair is shorter, it isn't as obvious."

He sighed and shook his head and said, "Well, I suppose we all have to get older."

And so, we do. We both acknowledged that life and relationships get sweeter as the years roll by. I am so deeply grateful for all that Ms. Conroy has brought into my life - the challenges that have brought either sadness or joy, along with those all too short periods of calm.

Here's to 32 more years together. May they not fly by quite as quickly.

31 comments:

Kirkepiscatoid said...

Many happys to the both of you! Wow! 32 years...I don't own a thing that has lasted 32 years...

Hey, don't sweat the gray. I've been going gray since I was 25. I figure I've earned every damn one of them. But I do have a little problem with the father of one of my long time friends. His favorite greeting with a hug is always, "How did I end up with middle aged children...and how did you end up with all that gray hair????"

Anonymous said...

Happy Anniversary to both of you! Prayers and blessings for continued joy together.

Fran said...

Happiness, joy, blessings today and ever more on your beautiful union.

God bless you both!

Thank you for your witness and your life!

Elizabeth Kaeton said...

Thanks, Kirke, whiteycat and fran. You are very kind.

Fran said...

Celebrating you!

Suzer said...

Happy Anniversary to you both!

PseudoPiskie said...

We pray that a year from now you may be considered married in New Jersey. Now that would be a great anniversary present! Meanwhile enjoy this one.

How fortunate to be hosted by the Spongs! I'm a bit jealous tho I suspect I would be dumb in all senses of the word in his presence.

altar ego said...

My very best wishes to you on your anniversary. It is a wonderful milestone for any couple, and I think must be all the more cherished for your both given the additional challenges our culture lays in your path. May the coming years be full of riches of all kinds, and abundant blessings.

Elizabeth Kaeton said...

Nah, you wouldn't, Psuedo, dear. He's as comfortable as an old shoe. Honest. Before you know it, he'd be asking you for your opinion on something or other and would consider them carefully before responding you and then asking you even more questions. He's genuinely more interested in what and how people think than he is of his own thought process. It's just the way he is.

Anonymous said...

Bon Anniversaire to you and your beloved from me & mine. We'll celebrate 22 together in December. Gray is beautiful. White is even more so.

David@Montreal said...

Happy, Blessed, wondrous Anniversary both of you dear beings.

As so many are blessed by your lives and the fruits of your love, may the two of you have many, many more years together.

As your love is yet another miracle of gay love wrested by God's unfailing love out of pain and fear, may your lives, love and ministries coninue to bless us all.

L'achiam sweet sisters!

David@Montreal

Anonymous said...

Happy anniversary! I second all the comments, especially the one about not sweating the gray. Your best years are ahead of you. My hope is that someday you may be considered married in all 50 states.

Ruth Hull Chatlien said...

Happy anniversary. May you have many more years of love and joy.

Erika Baker said...

Congratulations to you both, what an encouraging story, I'm so pleased for both of you. Here's to the next 32 years.

Mauigirl said...

Coming here from FranIAm to wish you a very, very happy 32nd anniversary!

Cany said...

Wishing you the happiest of anniversaries!

32 years. Wow.

Here's to 32 more!

Congrats and God be with you both!

Elizabeth Kaeton said...

Thank you, thank you, thank you one and all!

Jane R said...

Happy anniversary! Glad you had a fine dinner to celebrate. Here's to 32 more years (at least). Enjoy the distinguished silver hairs.

Lindy said...

Mazl Tov! Thank you for all you've done to break new ground in the struggle for justice, and for the example of your life and ministry. May your next 32 years with Ms.Conroy be sweet, the path clear, and your burdens light.

Brother David said...

¡Muchas Felicidades, la Revda. Dra. Lizabet y su pareja, la Sra. Conroy!

Elizabeth Kaeton said...

Ah, Dahveed, it's good to see you out and about and recovering. You have been much in my prayers.

Paul said...

Congratulations and every blessing on your years ahead!

JCF said...

[My best "Flintstones" imitation]

Happy Anniversary!
Happy Anniversary!
Happy Anniversary!
Haaa-appy Anniversary!


[repeat ad nauseum ;-p]

Mrs & Mrs TELP, many more year to you, together! God bless ya! :-D

Karen Zipdrive said...

Happy Anniversary, and many more.

Mary Beth said...

Many many happy returns!

suzanne said...

Congratulations to You, Elizabeth and Ms. Conroy for your 32 years of Love and understanding.

Elizabeth Kaeton said...

I'm just so overwhelmed with all the love expressed in response to this post. Thank you, one and all.

Wormwood's Doxy said...

I am so late to this wonderful party, but I did want to send my congratulations and best wishes to both of you for many more happy years together!

And I'd love to know the secret of making a marriage last for 32 years and counting...

Pax,
Doxy

Anonymous said...

Sorry I'm so slow to get here Elizabeth, but many happy returns and congrats on the anniversary. I should be so lucky to make it to 32 years with my beloved husband. You are a good example I can aim to emulate!

Pat Klemme said...

Happy Anniversary to you both. As others have said eloquently, you two have lived your lives as an example of peace and justice as well as love and commitment. I wish you many more blessed years together in God's love.

Ann said...

Happy day -- even tho I am just getting around to catching up with blogfriends. Any many more!