Thursday, 4 June 2026

Forty Eight Years And Counting...

Thomas Hardy's perpetual calendar on his desk was always set at March 7th, because that was the day he met Emma, his first wife. 

I was very taken with this idea, so when I saw Hardy's Calendar in Dorset, eight years ago, I came home and altered my calendar to the date when I first met Bob [this late Victorian calendar was inherited from Great Aunt Amy, Grandad's sister]
For the record, like Thomas and Emma, we met in church. Bob's first words [on seeing my student sweatshirt] "Oh no! not another teacher!". We went on to an after church youth group, and spent the evening sitting on the sofa discussing the sermon, and sharing a 'Youth Praise' songbook. And today marks 48 years together - friend, fiancé, husband, soulmate - my 'better half'
The last week has been pretty significant for us too. After a lot of waiting [three years since the doctor declared him an 'urgent' case] Bob has finally had the denervation procedure on his back, to relieve him of the constant and acute pain he has been suffering for so long.
That was last Friday [hence my absence from the church holiday club] Things are looking good. It's wonderful to see him standing straight and tall and free of pain. 
Last weekend we went to the coast, Bob walked down to the water and swam in the sea with Rosie.
Thanking God for all His goodness to us and to our family 



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28 comments:

  1. Frugally challenged4 June 2026 at 06:58

    So glad that Bob is feeling better. Me, I'm suffering from Victorian calendar envy.

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  2. KirstenM4 June 2026 at 07:48

    I think setting the perpetual calendar to the date you met is a lovely idea... if only I could remember when I met my future husband... end of September 1975 is the closest I can get.
    I'm so glad for Bob that those dreadful 3 years of pain are over.

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  3. KirstenM4 June 2026 at 07:49

    1976, come to think of it...

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  4. Anonymous4 June 2026 at 08:14

    Fantastic news and how well Bob looks striding out from the sea! Catriona

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  5. Anonymous4 June 2026 at 08:16

    Given the context you describe that is quite a meaningful photograph. All the best for Bob’s recovery and hopefully the gift of pain free mobility.

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  6. Sencosue4 June 2026 at 09:11

    Congratulations on your anniversary and that is so wonderful Bob got his treatment. That is a great photo of him striding from the sea. Back pain is constantly with my dear Husband due to lower spine arthritis, sadly not much can be done other than pain killers which don't really work too well. My Gran used to say a good man is a gift from heaven, my Granddad was a good and lovely man, as is my Husband, and your Bob obviously is too. Aren't we blessed? Regards Sue H

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    1. Angela4 June 2026 at 09:25

      We are truly blessed. So sorry your husband is suffering. It is hard watching the ones we love when they are in pain.

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  7. Elizabethd4 June 2026 at 10:13

    A lovely anniversary.

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  8. Sue4 June 2026 at 11:12

    Well done on your 48 years together, that's a lovely achievement. It's a good job I don't have a perpetual calendar as neither of us can remember the date we met. October 2004 for sure, but what date I have no idea ... it took me a couple of years to get our wedding anniversary right!!

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  9. Sarah Browne4 June 2026 at 11:46

    I admit to being envious of retired older couples, my husband died in our 50’s so retirement is a quiet lonely place. Also glad to hear Bob is out of pain, it takes a strain on the body coping with unending pain. Life certainly takes some strange twists and turns and we find ourselves outside the norm. Sarah Browne.

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    1. Angela4 June 2026 at 15:06

      I cannot imagine the quiet loneliness you experience every day🥹 . I hope you have many happy memories to sustain you 🩵

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  10. Anonymous4 June 2026 at 15:29

    How wonderful. Bob looks so well and you are all so relieved that this surgery worked. I do like the idea of setting the calendar to that special date JanF

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  11. Mary4 June 2026 at 16:37

    Long may Bob remain as pain free as possible! And congratulations to you both on 48 years together.

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  12. Celie4 June 2026 at 19:47

    Congratulations on 48 years! I hope Bob has long term relief from pain.

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  13. Anonymous4 June 2026 at 20:46

    Congratulations on 48 years. It’s also 48 years since we first met and tomorrow will be our 44th wedding anniversary. We met on a motorbike proficiency training course, my husband was one of the instructors. I had a second hand scooter that was very temperamental. The engine would stop after about 30 miles and nothing would make it start again until it had been left for half an hour. Nobody could ever work out why. On the last day of the course, 31st May, my future husband asked me for a date
    Pleased to hear Bob is pain free and is doing well. Such a relief for you both.
    Sue

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  14. Tracy4 June 2026 at 21:40

    Congratulations on 48 years together. Bob looks a picture of health in the lovely photo. Long may it continue. x

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