This week my parents, Wayne and Sarah Campbell of Chunky, celebrated their 52nd wedding anniversary. My sister and her husband, Amber and Gabe Swann, also of Chunky, celebrated their 18th. I’m proud to be a part of the lives of these four people.
For nearly 47 years now, my parents have modeled for me what it means to be the ideal married couple. They have not been perfect, and for that I’m grateful. It’s very difficult to follow the example of perfection. But they have been as close to it as I think humans can be.
Even when they didn’t agree, they got along. They worked out compromises and always seemed to choose what was best for the other, or for the two together, or for our family as a whole.
I’m a rebellious sort. I always want to do things my own way, even now. I often think I can take what someone else has done and improve upon it. I don’t know why I ever think that. It’s rarely been true.
When I have done my best to follow my parents’ example in their relationship, my relationships have succeeded. When I have not, my relationships did not.
I didn’t get to be there when Mom and Dad celebrated the milestone of their 50th anniversary. I was in the hospital and the doctor didn’t seem to think my parents’ anniversary gathering at Chunky Baptist Church was more important than my health. We disagreed, but I remained in the bed. I was upset that I missed it, and all the people congratulating them for their rare accomplishment.
But I have gotten the better deal than the majority of those who were in attendance that day. I have gotten to spend the majority of my life with them, and I am a better person for it.
I won’t say I’m the man I am today because of them, because I don’t want to blame them for that. But I will say that anything good in me is because of Jesus Christ, and because of the example of his love lived out in my parents’ marriage relationship.
Congratulations, Mom and Dad. You’re the best, bar none.
And Amber and Gabe, I love you guys, too. I honestly believe I have the best sister anyone could ask for, and I couldn’t have picked a better man to spend her life with her.
Find a reason to celebrate in Chunky this week. I already have.
Brett Campbell can be reached at brettcampbell@bellsouth.net or 601-934-0901.
