Naked and unashamed

Catchy title, eh?

That’s what I thought when I spotted the book in a very conspicuous place on the bed after my wife left for a girls’ weekend away. I asked her if she wanted me to go with her and she quickly retorted “Nope!” (I knew she didn’t ; I just wanted to poke her a bit).

So did she really leave it for me to read while she was away and what’s it all about? Yes, she bought it after hearing the authors, Dr. Jerry and Mrs. Claudia Root along with Jeremy Rios interviewed on AFR, American Family Radio, and she did intend for me to read it while she was gone.

So why does she think I need to read a book like that? After all, we’ve been happily (mostly) married for 49 years. I could take the approach Archie Bunker did with Edith when he said “Look, Edith, I told you I loved you when I married you, if I change my mind I’ll let you know!” I think that might result in 49 being our last anniversary!

Actually, the book is written primarily as a pre-marital counseling text for those considering marriage and since we have two unmarried sons, and seven granddaughters, sooner or later they’re going to need (and want I hope) some good pre-marital counseling. And it seems like it’s in short supply these days.

When our generation was growing up, while we didn’t all follow it, the biblical model of marriage was the societal norm in our culture:

•Marriage was between one man and one woman “Til’ death do us part”

•Sex was to come after marriage

•Cohabitation wasn’t even a word but it was understood to be after marriage

•The groom understood that he was to leave his parents and cleave to his new bride somewhere other than his parents’ basement.

•And children were to have one father and one mother, all living together under one roof.

But sadly, our culture seems to have jettisoned most all of these marital axioms that we took for granted. The new norms are being promoted everywhere in our culture: the media, Hollywood, corporate America, academia and even elementary schools. It’s no wonder our divorce rates are what they are. I suspect they’re higher than reported since many young couples don’t even bother to get married, let alone divorced.

So what are we seniors supposed to do for our grandchildren to help them find the right life partner and live “Happily ever after”? I think there are several things we can and should do:

•Live out a happy marriage ourselves so they have a model to pattern after. Not just for our grandkids but for our own pleasure and well being too.

•If something starts to go off the tracks, get sound counsel. (We’ve done it a couple times.)

•Be regular attendees at a sound bible-teaching church

•WORK at keeping your own marriage fresh.

One of the points of the book was that a good marriage does take WORK; it doesn’t just happen. But it sure is worth it !

If your spouse is still with you, don’t do like Archie, tell him or her you love them everyday!

Thanks for reading All About Seniors….. see you next week!

Bill Milby, CSA, is a Certified Senior Advisor and a Director of Visiting Angels® of Macon, a non-medical, living assistance service for seniors. If you have questions or comments about this column you can reach him at william.mercylink@gmail.com or search for us at https://www.facebook.com/VisitingAngelsofCentralGA/