Happy Marriage

Hi Gloria and all.

This photo above shows where it started 50 years ago in Indonesia. Mieke, my bride, arrived from Holland by ship. We were married the same afternoon and went to the company's resort in the mountains for our honeymoon.

We have been happy together for all that time. But being Humans, of course, we had our differences. Early on, we made a promise that whatever happened, we would not go to sleep without a KISS, and that helped.

To make a relationship last, a lot of 4 letter words are essential. You BOTH have to WORK at it. Both practice GIVE and TAKE. AND LOVE and More LOVE helps as well. FREE is another word that is important, to let each be FREE. Mieke loves reading. I watch cricket and soccer. Mieke likes to play bridge. Although I do play, I am not a fanatic. She plays bridge on the computer with people all over the world in two clubs and has made a lot of friends that she never sees face to face.

We Laugh a lot together, and, after my jealousy departed, we kept growing together. So Work on it. Give and Take Both. Let Each be Free and LOVE and more LOVE. Kick out jealousy and ego, and all goes well.

At the end of this entry, you'll see a photo 50 years Later. Mieke is still as beautiful as ever. Me, I have a lot more weight and less hair but happier everyday. My stock answer to the Question "How are you" is - " Fine, any better I will be in Heaven!"

Back row left to right--

Oldest son, grandson, two grand daughters (at present holidaying in America), 2nd daughter and youngest son. Then oldest Daughter's Husband, myself and my Angel oldest daughter, husband 2nd daughter, wife of oldest son and grandson and youngest daughter, then the three granddaughters in front. The left and right live in Seattle with their parents. The wife of youngest son is holding onto her oldest, all very happy. Just got an e.mail from Seattle that they have snow there, while I am looking at banana trees in Australia.

Mieke just got up, and we will have breakfast. See you later.

Love, Jack