Married Still - Again

Back at the end of February when I went in for surgery I had to remove my wedding ring. After 36+ years it is obvious that it was very small for my hand. It took what seemed like half the bottle of dish detergent to get it off. I was at the point where I thought it would need to be cut off. (The ring.)

Well, the first time we were out after the surgery and I could walk the Mall, we stopped and ordered new wedding rings. (Hers was small, too.) My old one was, I believe, around a 9 or 9 1/2. In the end- after two tries- I needed an 11 3/4. I picked it up today.

So, for the first time since Feb. 24 I am officially married again. We're keeping the old one and putting them on a needlework that has our wedding date on it. Then when we get old and our fingers shrink again we can go back to the originals.

I must admit that it felt strange not having the ring on. It feels very good to have it back. It is a small thing- a token of the promise and covenant between us- but it is in many ways a "sacrament"- an outward and visible sign of an inward and spiritual grace.

Marriage is that. I am grateful to have been able to be married for most of my adult life- and to the same person. I am grateful that people can have that possibility in their lives. It is truly a special act.