Anniversary

Today marks Pam and my 12th wedding anniversary. Two threads emerge as I think about that time. One is how much has changed. When we married, we lived in Alaska. We had no inkling that we would move to the east coast in a few years. We have traveled to Australia, Europe, Belize and Mexico. None of our children were married (4 are now), and we had no grandchildren (currently 6). Much can change in 12 years.

The other thread is one of constancy in the heart of our relationship. I feel that it has broadened and deepened over the years, but is constant in the basic nature of love and respect. I appreciate Pam's patience and support, and she continues to impress me with her determination and willpower.

For the past two years we have enjoyed learning about yoga and developing our own unique, but connected, yoga practices. We enjoy taking classes together, and help each other learn new things. Through this, we also learn more about each other.

We celebrated by taking off work for the day and going to the Smithsonian to see an exhibit called "Yoga: the Art of Transformation" that opened about a week ago. I came away impressed by the deep and diverse set of practices called yoga. They too have gone through many changes. The path from early yoga in India to the current modern asana practice is long and complex, and can almost seem as if nearly everything has changed except the name.

To unite, or yoke, is one definition of yoga. Marriage is a uniting as well. Yoga is a practice of uniting mind and body, and the individual with the universe. Marriage is a practice uniting two people in loving, trusting relationship.

Happy Anniversary, Pam!