The Secret of Life

(Rob writing)

My wife Julia and I have been married for 20 years today, May 30, 2012.

Last week Julia was away at a home schooling convention for three days, trying to sell our BiblioPlan materials so that we can eke out our meager living. I almost never go with Julia to her conventions, for a very good reason: I stay away from sales because, as my old Dad used to say, I “couldn't sell new dollar bills for 50 cents apiece.” So all of the sales responsibilities fall upon poor Julia and our partner, while I remain behind to manage a task for which I am equally ill-suited-- taking care of our boys.

Near the end of Julia’s increasingly frequent absences, the boys and I begin to get desperate. All three boys are so sure I’m going to burn their supper that I practically have to drag them to the table by their collars. When they finally break down and join me, we all pray for Mom’s safe return, and we mean every word of those prayers. This past Saturday night, after spending three long, dreary days deprived of the light that my wife brings into my life, I looked at Ben and reminded him of something that I’ve known for more than 20 years now: “A good woman is the only thing that makes the life of a man worth living.”

If you’ve ever seen the Disney movie “Up,” then you’ll understand what I mean: Julia’s Ellie, and I’m Carl. Ellie is adventurous, talkative and vivacious, bursting with life and love. Compared to Ellie, Carl is cautious, silent and dull; but he does have one thing going for him: He appreciates the treasure that he’s found in Ellie. Carl’s greatest joy in life is listening to Ellie’s excited chatter about going on adventures and saving the world. Every time Ellie launches into one of her animated talks, Carl’s face takes on an expression of serene satisfaction-- as if he can’t believe how lucky he is to be the one guy in the world who gets to enjoy this unbelievably beautiful, inspiring woman.

That’s how I feel about my wife, too: I just can’t believe how lucky I am. She’s like a bottomless well of life and love, of faith and inspiration. However dull and dreary I become, Julia never fails to lighten my heart. I may doubt every other decision that I’ve ever made, but I never doubt that I love my wife, or that she loves me. Where I would be without her love, I don’t care to imagine.