More Tips for a Happy Marriage

In an attempt to counter the sarcastic glee with which we all mocked the "Tips for a Happy Marriage,"  I need to share something I read this morning in the December issue of The Ensign.  Warning:  Have a tissue handy you when you read it...

http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=53ff875a62c25210VgnVCM100000176f620a____&vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD

Remind you of anyone?

Continuing in a more inspired (than sarcastic) vein, let me share a portion of Elder Eyring's talk at October conference.  I found these words to be very helpful and included them in my visiting teaching handout last month:

"First, I give counsel to husbands and wives. Pray for the love which allows you to see the good in your companion. Pray for the love that makes weaknesses and mistakes seem small. Pray for the love to make your companion’s joy your own. Pray for the love to want to lessen the load and soften the sorrows of your companion."

On the 22nd of this month Bill and I will celebrate our 37th anniversary.  Although I can't remember the last time I rushed to put a bow in my hair for him, I think we are making good progress towards making a great relationship even better.  If anyone were to ask (and even if they don't--I am very free with unsolicited advice) I would give young couples three tips for a happy marriage:

1.  Laugh together a lot.

2.  You can't be angry for very long with someone for whom you are praying.

3.  Don't waste time on stuff that doesn't really matter...and most of the small, petty stuff doesn't really matter.

To illustrate point #3...On Saturday we brought home our beautiful 7' tall noble fir Christmas tree.  I thought it was already perfect, but Bill wanted the bottom "evened up."  So, without grumbling, I got the pruner and took off the bottom row of branches.  I had to admit that it looked okay and allowed room for presents under the tree.  Then Bill wanted "just that branch on the left that's hanging a little low" lopped off.  Since I was the one that was up close and personal with the tree (while he stood back and gave advice) I could tell that we were heading down a slippery slope.  God had arranged the branches more in a spiral than in nice, even rows.  A few more cuts and we would have hade an evergreen chia pet.  I told him he could have one more cut, and then I was putting the pruners away.  He chose the branch he wanted removed, and pointed out that I had left ugly, little stumps from my previous cuts.  I hardly grumbled at all (at least so that he could hear me) and I saved the tree from becoming a laughingstock.  Although that would have led us to tip #1...and as I was praying that I wouldn't have to brain him with the pruners, I also followed  tip #2.

Merry Christmas and a Happy Marriage!