The Power of Love: 57 and Going Strong

The Power of Love: 57 and Going Strong

Fifty Seven years ago, in a small town of Anderson, SC a wedding took place between two very special people.  I won’t keep you guessing, these special people are my parents.  They took their vows in a synagogue built by my Mom’s Grandfather surrounded by family and love.

Sorry for the faded picture, but my Mom made a lovely bride and Dad a handsome groom!!!

Their love and dedication to one another and their family is a model of how a relationship should be and through that love they have taught their family and many more the true power of love.

Short history, they met in Savannah, GA by my father’s Aunt Sady and my Mom’s Aunt Gloria who were best friends.  They could have met a few years before at UGA at what I hear was a party at the TEP house called Shipwreck that my Dad helped create including finding decorations.  The story I heard is that my mom sat on a starfish which I assume if she had known was put there by my Dad may have ended the potential romance.  So, thankfully they waited a few years till my Mom was at the University of South Carolina and my Dad was practicing law in Savannah.  Their first date was at Johnny Harris’s (which just closed).

They married and settled in Savannah, in a new house on Bonna Bella Avenue and in about 16 months had their first child, my sister Marcia which from all accounts was a beautiful baby, then another 24 months (in October as well) they had their second child my handsome brother Walter, and then being the odd child I was born 25 months later in November.

There was a move to Lagrange as my Dad was working for the Corp of Engineers on what would become Lake West Point from build a Damn of the Chattahoochee River.  There was the return to Savannah and the house with the bathroom that had naked cartoon wallpaper, and then to the house they currently live in and if my math is any good for 43 years.  For most of my youth, we were next door to Aunt Edith and Uncle Ben, Granny and Grandpa and Aunt Janet and Uncle Buddy were a little further around the corner from them and there was Uncle Harry and Aunt Fay at least a mile away from there. 

Growing up a Silverman, and child of my parents, in Savannah was a pleasant and happy time.  As I have grown and realized the challenges of adulthood, relationships and the occasional professional challenge I have learned to appreciate their lives and the lessons they taught me and I believe my siblings as well.

Here are a few that came to mind this morning, and I am sure there are more to share in days and years to come as we celebrate their love.

Their Love and Relationship is the Foundation of the Family:  I have written about this before, but they were and are truly a partnership built on love and admiration for each other.  That meant as children they raised us as a team, and we knew that their love was something we could depend on and in an era that spawned divorces their love and kindness to one another was a great foundation for us children.  It also also has assured the strength of their relationship once we were all out of the nest.

Family is the Priority:  Growing up, no matter the priorities of work or other activities, when there was an issue need or assistance required by the extended family that became the priority.  Whether it was my grandparents needing assistance at the house.  My Grandmother in Anderson needing help or cousins and more that needed advice my parents always put their family to the front of the line.  We knew growing up along with ourselves that extended family came ahead of their own personal choices or priorities.

The value of Individuality:  I was going to say empowerment, but that didn’t seem strong enough.  My parents did something unique in today’s world, as parents, they didn’t stand up and tell us what to do or not to do.  They led by an example that we knew we didn’t want to let down.  

It was also their way to make sure we focused on ourselves and being true to who we are.  I always am surprised at how different we are as siblings from one another.  My father has said to me, many times, that we are not that different to them.  What they saw as priorities as parents was that we were honest, compassionate and lawful citizens of the world and we are all that for sure.   

I might add that my parents were accepting of our differences as well so that made it easier as we matured to find our own path to a happy life.

The value and power of women:  I do not remember seeing my father as the “head” of the household nor do I remember my mother as the happy homemaker. Again, what I remember is they were partners in life.  

They did what they needed to do together, and if that meant my Mom working while Dad transitioned back to private practice she did.  If that meant sharing chores at home they did.  It was never a sense to me that they were not equals and respect for my Mom was the top priority to my Dad and a top priority he expected of us as well.  

This extended beyond our family to our extended family of strong aunts, cousins and grandmothers and I always respected and admired the women in my family right along with the men.

There are many more lessons from my parents.  There is none stronger than to say that after 57 years they are still deeply in love and admiration for one another.  

Their partnership is one to admire and emulate for all not just for their lucky children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. 

Happy anniversary and Much Love Mom and Dad!!!