There Ain’t No Place That I’d Rather Be. . .

March 19, 1966 dawned bright, clear, and warm. For two college kids it was a special day, but they couldn’t have imagined how special and how life changing. It was their wedding day. They were both twenty-one and had a week off for spring break. Plans had been made, invitations sent, exams taken, a tiny apartment prepared, and all was ready.

The wedding was in a tiny church where the bride had attended since diapers, and the couple was joined by a best friend and a cousin—the closest things they had to a sister and a brother. At 6:30, the little sanctuary was crowded and the music started. The church soloist sang “Climb Every Mountain” from the Sound of Music and then “One Hand, One Heart” from West Side Story.

A reception followed in the church basement, far different from the elaborate affairs of today. The bride’s three college roommates served the cake and punch. They were all named Linda. The groom’s roommate was getting married the next day, so the one-day honeymoon was spent celebrating another wedding.

Many years have passed since that day in March. There has been a lot of laughter and more than a few tears as well as five babies who came as arrows in the quiver. One of them only lived eight days, but nevertheless had an enormous effect on the direction of family life.

In the past ten years, six grandchildren have joined the family ranks with another one due in a few weeks. Someone wrote that grandchildren fill a void that one never knew was there. They are indeed a source of great joy.

Today we look back and thank the Lord above for his hand upon us and for the plans he still has for us.

Oh yes, and I must share a little of one of my very favorite songs sung by a group called Shenandoah and that describes today—

♫ There ain't no place that I'd rather be
Next to you, next to me
If the Good Lord's willin' when we're old and gray
The kids are grown up and moved away
We'll be rockin it side by side
With the barbecue chicken and the T.V. guide
Well, there ain't no place that I'd rather be
Next to you, sittin' next to me. ♫