The 50-Year Mark

Recently Marge and I watched two movies which focused on rekindled love after a period of 50 years. Fifty years seems to be a magic number. The first, "Letters to Juliet" used the Romeo and Juliet story and Italian city, Verona, as the launch for the reconnect of two lovers after a period of 50 years.

When a young American travels to the city of Verona, home of the star-crossed lover Juliet Capulet of Romeo and Juliet fame, she joins a group of volunteers who respond to letters to Juliet seeking advice about love. These letters are attached daily to the wall below the famed balcony. After answering one letter dated 1951 (the letter was hidden for 50-years before its discovery), she inspires its author to travel to Italy in search of her long-lost love. This sets off a chain of events that will bring a love into both their lives unlike anything they ever imagined. The old lovers are Clair (an English women) and Lorenzo Bartellini (an Italian living near Verona) who have not seen each other or spoken for 50-years.

The young lovers are Sophie and Charlie. She is from New York. He is the grandson of Clair from London who comes with her to Italy.

It is a remarkably good movie (but a chick flick nonetheless) and worth while for the wives of our family to drag their husbands along. You have my strong recommendation.

The second film (which most of you have seen and seen again and again is "Forever Young" where the central character is frozen for 50-years after which he reconnects with "Helen". From 1939, when he was frozen, to about 1990 they were apart. His youth, however, is lost by the time they meet again.

Now, what is the connection with these movies and the fact that Marge and I will have been married for 50-years in August? None that I can think of. These movie love stories make us feel good because in the end (in both cases the characters are in their 70's) "true love" finally prevails. We are then left with "living happily ever after" even if "ever after" is a short condensed few years.

For us we at least have hope for an "ever after" which is really "ever after."

So, as we approach our 50-year mark what have our past years taught us? Family and service in a Gospel covenant are what matters most. We love each of our children and grandchildren. And, even though we could look back and dwell on disappointments and decisions which turned out badly, life's challenges are a big part of our time on earth.

The atonement is, I am convinced, the central doctrine which gives us hope and allows us to repent, forgive, and change. The prophet Alma speaks of a "mighty change" brought about by conforming our lives and conduct to the Doctrine of Christ.

So, where are we after 50-years? Is there a bright future? Are we simply older or are we older, wiser and better prepared for the next decade or two?

We look forward to our reunion in Orlando in July. You can tell us then what you think.

Su Padre