“We were married for over 50 years,” Georgia told me some time ago. “I loved him so much. He’s always been the only one for me. Nobody else could ever take his place,” is what she said about Frank who died in 1990.

She never told me when or how they met, but it must have been love at first sight. To love each other as much as they did for over 50 years takes a unlimited amount of understanding, a peck of patience, and a main course of compromise.

They had four children. She said they were strict parents. As their children grew older and went out on their own, they made sure they knew who their children were going out with and set a curfew for them to come home. Georgia waited up to make sure that the children got back home safe and on time.

They made sure their children had everything they needed – food, clothes, shelter, a heavy dose of common sense, and an education. They looked on admiringly and with approval as their children grew up, got married, and had children of their own.

I am told that Frank and Georgia were very affectionate to each other and passed on that trait to their children and grandchildren. It was a common sight to see them hugging or kissing. Georgia told me that her children often said that it made them feel good to know that their parents loved each other so much and that if they loved each other that much, they must love their children and grandchildren just as much.

As they grew older, Frank began facing some ailments. Both of them suffered from high blood pressure, and Frank had some heart problems. But, they never let their ailments control their lives or cloud their feelings for their family.

They coped as best they could. They never complained to others when they didn’t feel well. They may have confided in their doctor and each other, of course, but when someone else asked, they would always say that they were just fine.

Frank’s health continued to fail when in 1990 he died. Georgia is still alive but her life has changed without her beloved Frank.

The doctors told her that Frank died of a heart attack. She was broken hearted at his passing. However, her children and her grandchildren gave her much to live and be thankful for. She told me her grandchildren are a handful when they come to visit her.

She goes on short sight-seeing trips with her friends when her ailing body allows. And, she visits the local senior center. She has many things in common with her friends and they share their seemingly perpetual optimistic outlook on life with others who are lonely or in despair.

Georgia has much to live for and much to remember at the same time. Living life and appreciating all it has to give is the secret to a happy life.