Happy Anniversary

Sunday, June 7 was my parents' 40th wedding anniversary. I have had the privilege to observe them for 37 of those 40 years. For some of those years the observation was very close indeed. I've heard it said that the best lessons in life are caught, not just taught. Robert and Mary McFarland saw to it that we had both channels - and maybe a few more - in their house. There are too many lessons to write them all down. But I would like to share just a few of them with you.

1. Put first things first. And in the McFarland house, God was the first thing. We were at church every time the doors were open. Sometimes my dad was the one to unlock them. But for my parents, faith was more than simply going to church. Their faith was in Jesus Christ, and that governed and permeated everything else that went on in our lives.

2. Put your family a very, very close second. Whether it was caring for their young children or their aging parents, family was always a priority. While we didn't live right next door to my grandparents or aunts and uncles, we were always close in our hearts. And we visited them plenty.

3. Don't argue in front of the kids. I'm sure my parents argued. But I don't remember it. Not even once. The only voices I remember being raised in our house were mine and my brother's. They certainly weren't zombies. Nor did they repress a bunch of latent anger. They just didn't yell at each other, or us. Amazing.

4. It's only money. Despite not having an Atari when everybody else did, we didn't suffer for anything. We always had a roof overhead, food on the table, and gas in the car. My parents believed in hard work. But they weren't materialistic by any measure. They didn't try to keep up with the Joneses. If they did, we would have had an Atari - because the Jones Boys who lived next door had one. Mom and Dad have always been generous - first to God, second to their family, and finally to others.

5. Breakfast is the best meal of the day. We always had breakfast growing up. It was usually hot. I probably appreciate it more now than I did at the time. My mom still fixes it every day, even when it's just the two of them to eat it.

I can only hope that 23 years down the road when Kristi and I mark our 40th, we will have as much to show for it.

Congratulations Mom and Dad; Happy 40th. We will throw you a party on your 50th whether you want it or not.

Jeff