Saturday, July 4, 2015

A Milestone

Today marks our 40th wedding anniversary.
July 5, 1975 - July 5, 2015

1975... a time it was and what a time it was!

  • Gerald Ford was President of the United States
  • The unemployment rate in the US reached 9.2% and the United States was plunged in to recession
  • The average cost of a new house was $39,300.00
  • The average annual income wad was $14,100.00
  • A gallon of gas cost 44 cents
  • The average cost of a new car was $4,250.00
  • The Vietnam Was ended as Communist forces took Saigon and South Vietnam surrendered unconditionally. I had marched against entering Laos. Juergen had his lottery number and was the next group to be called when the draft ended, dodging the bullet, literally.
  • The "Women's-Lib movement saw the Sex Discrimination and Equal Pay Acts passed but it was another 25 years before we began to see the decline of the "good old boys club"
  • Bill Gates and Paul Allen developed BASIC for the Altair 8800
  • The name "Micro-soft" (microcomputer software) and Microsoft became a registered trademark
  • Sony introduced Betamax videotape and Matusushita/JVC introduced VHS
  • Atari home video games were released
  • Jaws, The Towering Inferno and Young Frankenstein were released
  • Saturday Night Live premiered on NBC with George Carlin hosting
  • Bruce Springstein  released his third album, Born To Run
As in most long marriages, there have been years that flew by in the blink of an eye and years that seems as if they would never end.  After 40 years, there is still no one I would rather hang out with!

The "Age of Aquarius" Benediction at the end of our ceremony is something I have tried to live:

Go placidly among the noise and the haste and remember what peace there may be in silence.  As far as possible, without surrender, be on good terms with all people.  Speak your truth quietly and clearly and listen to others, they too have their story.  Be yourself.  Especially do not feign affection.  Neither be cynical about love, for in the face all aridity and disenchantment, it is as perennial as the grass... nurture strength of spirit to shield you in sudden misfortune.  But to not distress yourself with imaginings.  Many fears are born of fatigue and loneliness.  Beyond wholesome discipline, be gentle with yourself.  You are a child of the universe, no less than the stars and the trees... the universe is unfolding as it should. Therefore, be at peace with God and in the noisy confusion of life, keep peace with your soul.

17 comments:

oldgreymareprimitives said...

Congratulations! and blessings for another 50 at least <3

Beth Leintz said...

I know what you mean about "the blink of an eye". Has it really been 40 years since "Born to Run'?

Congratulations!!!

Laurie said...

Congratulations on your milestone anniversary! I remember 1975...it's amazing to me that it could have been 40 years ago! I hope you celebrated in style.

Annette said...

Happy, happy Anniversary!! July of 1975 was the summer between my junior and senior year of high school! Seems so long ago, but seems like yesterday.

laurie -magpie ethel said...

Digging those curls you had. Congrats on a big one!

Betsy@My Salvaged Treasures said...

Happy 40th both of you! Wow, this sure brought back a lot of memories. It's so hard to believe that all of this was in the news 40 years ago. Such a sweet picture, I had those same cirls, oh my!

CATHY said...

Wow - congratulations Kathy - this is a real accomplishment today : )
Fun to see what was going on then. I was in hanoi Vietnam yesterday so that one really stood out to me. I hope you many mnay more happy years!

rush said...

The couldn't possibly have been 40 years ago! Gosh! My daughter would have been 9 months old. I remember those things to one degree or another. Your words to live by are remarkable and certainly ones to aspire to. Happy 40th to you both.

Melissa said...

Congrats on such a milestone! I'm taking the plunge in a few months! :)

Celestina Marie said...

Hi Kathy, Congrats on your milestone anniversary. Love the pic and wish you two many more wonderful years. This is your ruby year!! Enjoy and best wishes, cm

The Polka Dot Closet said...

Happy anniversary! How wonderful to live life as a team. I remember beta max and oh the summer of "Jaws" lol!

Carol

Cindy Gay said...

Awe, that is great! We were married in 1976.

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

Happy Anniversary to you both! I'm wishing you many more years of happiness! Thanks for sharing all of the interesting facts. I remember....! lol Sweet hugs, Diane

Annette said...

Congratulations on FOURTY!!That is really a milestone and to know that there is still no one you would rather hang with is just super!!
I'm very happy for you.

vintage grey said...

Happy 40th Anniversary!! Wishing you many blessings and happiness!! Love your wedding photo!! xo Heather

Curtains in My Tree said...

OHHH Congratulations for making it !!!! this long together
The wedding picture is wonderfully beautiful, that was a very fancy smacy wedding cake etc I loved seeing the picture of true happiness

Laurie said...

Congratulations!