By Wilferd A Peterson


Happiness in marriage is not something that just
  happens.  A good marriage must be
  created.  In the art of marriage
the little things are the big
things…

 It is never being too old to hold hands.

 It is remembering to say, “I love you,” at least once each
  day.

 It is never going to sleep angry

 It is at no time taking the other for granted, the courtship
  shouldn’t end with the honeymoon, it should continue through all the
years.

 It is having a mutual sense of values and common objectives, it
is standing together facing the world.

 It is doing things for each other, not in the attitude of duty or
sacrifice, but in the spirit of joy.

 It is speaking words of appreciation and demonstrating gratitude
in thoughtful ways. 

It is not expecting the husband to wear a halo or the
wife to have the wings of an angel. 
It is not looking for perfection in each other. 
It is cultivating flexibility, patience, understanding and a sense of
humor.

 It is having the capacity to forgive and forget.

 It is giving each other an atmosphere in which each can
  grow.

 It is finding room for the things of the spirit.  It is a common search for the good and
the beautiful.

 It is establishing a relationship as counseled by Louis K.
  Anspacher, in which “the independence is equal, the dependence is mutual and
  obligation is reciprocal.”

 It is not only marrying the right partner, it is being the right
partner.

 It is discovering what marriage can be, at its best, as expressed
in the words Mark Twain used in a tribute to his wife: “Wherever she was, there
was Eden.”

It’s been awhile since I’ve posted an entry.  We were sick for a few weeks in
November.  It seems like this is  going to be the month to be sick for us. 
Last year, we missed out on going to Thanksgiving dinner with our family
because we got sick just before Thanksgiving.


For many couples, an illness can cause a strain in  their relationship.  The strain can
be relieved by keeping a positive attitude.  Find something to look forward to even
if it’s just getting better.


Being sick at the same makes it difficult to be  positive.  Talk about how you’re
feeling.  It will help to create an  attitude of teamwork.  You might 
begin to feel that you can get through this together.   It could even make your marriage stronger.


Last year, we had some really good friends who brought us plates
loaded with Thanksgiving goodies. 
This year, we got well enough to go eat at a dinner party. 
But most importantly we spent the holidays together.