Fears and Tears

Twenty-eight years ago, I made a promise and recited vows before God witnessed by family and friends to love, honor and cherish my spouse until death do us part, all the days of my life. For better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health; to surrender my whole heart to another.

Marriage is a great teacher of surrender, of giving one’s self to another. To go places that are unexpected and sometimes uncomfortable, but with God’s grace, to move forward in trust, because He is in control, not me.

For our anniversary this year, we visited the upper peninsula of Michigan, specifically the area by Mackinac Island, a beautiful place surrounded by three great lakes: Lake Superior, Lake Michigan and Lake Huron. The scenery is breathtaking and surreal, and there is a peace in the cry of the seagulls and the sound as the clear, blue water brushes the rocky shore.

Before we ventured to the U.P., we stopped in the Green Bay area to visit the Shrine of Our Lady of Good Help. This is another area that is filled with peace and beauty. We attended the evening Mass, and then walked around the grounds. The call of a dove sounded as we were walking around, a sound that seems to follow me; along with a sprinkling of purple flowers that seemed to be everywhere. It brings a smile to my face and joy to my heart, because in these little things, I feel the love of God.

Our time in the Mackinac area was wonderful, we visited the Tahquamenon waterfalls state park, we dined on delicious food, especially the whitefish, we ventured to the border of Canada to see the Soo locks, and we spent a day on the Island.

Mackinac Island was like stepping back into time with its horse drawn carriages, beautiful cottages, mansions, and hotels; along with the sweet aroma of fudge in the air. There are no cars on the island, and the main way to get around is on bicycle, by walking or on horseback. One of my favorite movies “Somewhere in Time” was filmed there with the perfect backdrop of the scenic island.

We decided to take a horse drawn carriage guided tour around the island, which was full of history and points of interest, it was informative and interesting. One of the stops brought us to Arch Rock, a formation looking down to the beach area below, the arch due to erosion is not expected to be there in ten to fifteen years. I feel blessed to have been able to see it, along with the panoramic view of the beach and water which rival the views I have seen in the Bahamas. The water was a blue, turquoise color and shone like a diamond when the sun hit it just right, it was a spectacular sight to behold.

It was good to get away together, to take the time to reminisce, to slow down and to enjoy each others company. To remember all those years ago, when we didn’t know where we would be going, but to go together, with love and trust in God, because He knows. I surrendered my heart to my husband, and the Lord showed me that by doing that, I was surrendering my heart to His.

Live in a manner worthy of the call you have received, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another through love, striving to preserve the unity of the spirit through the bond of peace. Ephesians 4:1-3