Recently, I read through the classic book, "For the Life of the World", by Alexander Schmemann. One passage, regarding marriage, is particularly poignant:
"In movies and magazines the 'icon' of marriage is always a youthful couple. But once, in the light and warmth of an autumn afternoon, this writer saw on the bench of a public square, in a poor Parisian suburb, an old and poor couple. They were sitting hand in hand, in silence, enjoying the pale light, the last warmth of the season. In silence: all words had been said, all passion exhausted, all storms at peace. The whole life was behind - yet all of it was now present, in this silence, in this light, in this warmth, in this silent unity of hands. Present - and ready for eternity, ripe for joy. This to me remains the vision of marriage, of its heavenly beauty." (p. 90).
Today is the 21st anniversary of the day when God joined my wife and I together in marriage, so we have many more years in front of us before the day when we take our place on that park bench. But, even now, in the present whirlwind of children, vocations, and activities that define our lives, I hope we can take a little bit of time to sit and hold hands in silence.
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