Our Prayer Flag

(written on November 22; posted November 25)

Today is our twenty-fifth church wedding anniverasary, my wonderful wife and I. We spent a good part of the morning just sitting at the dining table, talking, sharing, reminiscing, exchanging poetry and reflections and reaffirmation of our love. Joy gave me a poem she wrote in July of 2003 at a time when things were quite dire in our relationship, part of which reads:

these words;
our prayer flag.
little scrap we fly
in defiance of wind
partway up an arduous climb.

"In our marriage
we are each other's bedrock
and Dreamkeeper."

let this, our prayer flag -
little scrap we fly as beacon in the storm
appease the gods of rage and ruin
appeal to gods of faith, companionship,
to gods of forgiveness.

let this,
our prayer flag,
remain.
sustain.
see us to summit.

Apropos Joy's poem, I found this photo of a Tibetan couple after their wedding, amongst prayer flags.

Such a strong and heartfelt prayer, from one so hurt, so lost, so close to giving up. One who chose to carry on, and work, with her other, through the very tough journey back to a shared life with each other, for each other. My wife, my Dreamkeeper, my dearest love, of twenty-five years. I am thankful for her patience and kindness, and for God's blessings upong us, our sons, and our families throughout these years. May we paddle onwards together for many years to come.