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.