It was gold. It was a circular, pliable, bendable, wire.
It still is.
He purchased it on our trip. The one we took the day after we stood before the robed one and said, forever, we do. And there were hundreds there. And really the One who matters the most, the Most High. He was there.
He still is.
Today is always a new mercy morning. This one is our twenty four year mark. Of being linked and bendable and pliable. And tomorrow will be a new mercy morning. And the portal into the quarter century mark on a conjoined life.
It has held much, the wire. It has been to weddings and funerals and celebrations and church. On it has been threaded pearls and coins. An octopus and a turtle have hung from there too.
And there was the coin from the bottom of the sea with the cross, raised you can run your fingers over and touch the trinity, or is it deep-grooved recessed. Or is it both. Around the neck on the wire, it is heavy and it is large, but it is beautiful. Hammered encircling the coin, on the wire, the others, the dolphin, the seahorse, the sealife, the handwrought others.
And it, like the wire was a gift. From the Patient One who is here. And doing life and loving sweet, tender, deep, and gentle.
And bearing, like the wired gold treasure.
Who dripped sweat from his brow the day we said the vows and still does. Because of all the work. Long days. Long weeks. Laboring in love.
And of all the things we’ve lost, many and much that was lost. But not missed. There is no lacking. There is no want or need. Really.
We never lost the gold circuitous wire.
The one that holds the things. The one that she wears.
The one he gave in love.
And it is strong and weight-bearing. Capable of holding the delicate and the heavy.
A slim gold wire. always marking the early on. Always marking the continuity of the continuous conjoined love.
Wrapping around the neck, in love. Gold. Worthy of a gift to the stable. Given by a wise man.
Bending, not breaking. And holding treasures.
Always. At least we have today.
And the words we said before the Holy One infront of the robed one and the hundreds, they echo sacred, they echo soft. And two gold rings wrapped around, in love.
Twenty four years ago today. The glorious day we have, in love.
This is a post written with Amber and a community of writers on the one word prompt necklace.
Counting gifts, hopefully forever, but at least for today:
Marriage, twenty four years.
A doctor’s visit with a child that will lead to change… it looks promising, it looks good.
A night of celebrating, its all up in the air, its all good.
A night with all three kiddos home… rare and welcome…makes my momma heart soar.
A long talk with my momma after she left the hospital. It was so very long & wonderful.
The sun is shining bright though they’ve called for rain.
Time with the man/child in our bedroom right before we fall asleep. Precious.
Plans are made to be with friends a long way away for a wedding. Joy.
Laughter and open lines of communication with a child.
The kindest comments from the kindest readers any blogger could wish for.
New friends.
Wonderful time on the river. Beautiful friends. Beautiful day. A long boat ride to a yummy burger.
And linking too with Ann for Multitudes on Mondays and Michelle
at Michelle DeRusha dot com. And Laura for Playdates. And with Jen at SDG
.
elizabeth w. marshall 
Happy Anniversary! You will always be the most beautiful bride!!! Love you! Mel
AWWW, sigh….you sweet sweet thing. I love you and love that you were here. call me or send me a facebook message. I need an update on Kee Bird.
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! So happy for you. 😀 Enjoy your day of celebration! Blessings friend!
Thank you. It was perfect. 🙂
Happiest Anniversary!!!enjoy the celebration…and many, many more wonderful years ahead…and yes to having kids at home…it does do a momma’s heart such good. blessings~
RO, thank you so very very much. Your presence over here is a gift. You read my heart so well. You left the fragrance of joy here with you sweet self. I will look forward to having you come again soon. Welcome mat stays out for friends like you.
Happy Anniversary! wonderful list of things to inspire gratitude!
Thank you. Thank you. From my heart, humble thanks.
Happy Anniversary Elizabeth and thankful for the way you find Him in all things. Wasn’t this prompt a fun excercise?
Happy Anniversary~ Beautiful story here today!! Love your list of gifts, 😉
Kris, thank you. I feel blessed. You are generous to read to the end…..you are a generous soul, my friend.
I’ve found you this morning through Amber’s community. Happy anniversary, and thank you for this beautiful celebration of the shiny, fragile, delicate and strong that is marriage. Bless you.
Happy Anniversary! This makes me want to see a picture of the necklace!
Thank you, kind friend. You saw a picture, a word picture. 🙂 Thanks for being here. One day in RL I’ll share my special gift from the Patient One with you. Thanks for following me in the story that is our lives.
Gorgeous, gorgeous writing on such a simple prompt!!! I have seen Amber’s prompts and also want to start doing them this week. I’m planning to have a “writing” day where I try out things, exercises. Elizabeth, I absolutely adored the comment you left at my place–can I say that? Your words just came out so authentically sweet. I am glad we have met now, too. I’m looking forward to reading more of you–very inspiring stuff here. Blessings.
Thank you for visiting here. You are welcome anytime. Hope to see you again. It so much more fun in a community of writers, yes? Humble humble thanks for your encouraging words. Hope to see you at Ambers for her next prompt. Wishing you grace on your “writing day”.
Love how it holds both the delicate and the heavy. Oh, life serves up plenty of both, eh?
Happy anniversary and many more years laced in grace.
Thank you for your visit here. You are welcome here anytime.Its so nice to meet you. I love “laced in grace”. I really love the sound of that. Thank you for encouragement and kind words. Hoping you’ll come back. Its more fun in community 🙂
Happiest of Anniversaries! Savor love long, friend. What a beautiful write. (and such a fun prompt!)
Thank you friend. This prompt was fun. Looking forward to next week”s. Grateful you you and your encouraging spirit in my world.
GORGEOUS! Love that…Congratulations on your anniversary and look forward to getting to know you better!
Humble thank you. I look forward to getting to know you too. And thanks to Amber for her words, her place, and her inspiration. Look so forward to the next prompt. See you there?
I love this celebratory write on what stays the same even while so much changes. Happy Anniversary!
Congratulations! An accomplishment for certain. Love the post, the story of the chain that has seen you through 24 years of adventure. Thanks for sharing your heart. DAF