One year there was an Indian feast. Several years there was an Indian feast. One year he was in Hanna Alliance Church for its 75th anniversary. Of course, he talked about her there too ...
In 2011 he brought out the family china and polished each piece of silverware by hand. We had crown roast, which he discussed in great depth with his local butcher before he ordered it. After all, 2011 would have been their 50th anniversary ...
He was her life here on earth. She was his.
They weren't always together on their anniversaries. Work and kids perforce kept them a day's journey apart for a number of years. But she would arrange a candlelight dinner in Coonoor for herself and the children and we would get to wear her rings and talk about their wedding day.
Sometimes she would cry, just a little, before pulling herself together and finding her smile, the smile that told her watchful kids all was well.
And he would write her a very special love letter or poem in the solitude of his apartment in Bangalore.
Sometimes during those last nine anniversaries he would tear up, just a little, before pulling himself together and finding his smile, the smile that told his watchful kids that all would be well.
The one thing I really, really wanted from Dad's house was this picture of them. It's my favourite of all. DECADES after the wedding pictures were taken, they are still glowing, still attached.Still in love.
This year, he didn't have to prepare a thing. They were together again, after nine anniversaries apart.
I know we don't know for sure what goes on in Heaven when people who have loved each other so devotedly are reunited.
But today I'd like to think that they're starting a whole new tradition. Today is their first anniversary together in Heaven - no more pain, separations, sorrow, weariness.
Here below, their children carried on the tradition: those of us who could gathered at their son's home and one of their daughters served up a Moroccan feast, complete with hand washing in warm rosewater-scented water, and music provided by another sister. Their beloved daughter-in-law made the desserts. Grandchildren and their great grandchild, the new H.A. Ironside, were present.
And the love at the table was palpable.
We all knew that "they are with God, and God is with us, so they're not very far away." So we found our smiles, for all truly is well now that they are together again.
For old times' sake, another tradition:
Happy anniversary, Mum and Dad!
37 comments:
How good they look.
So thankful for all of our precious family! Glad you could make it! 'Twas a fabulous time!! Xoxoxo Thanks for saying it all so beautifully!! Xoxo
Wow... that was so special. Thanks for sharing those wonderful memories and the thought of them now being finally reunited. Such Hope is incomparable
So precious to have a love like that and the time and effort to show it by planning celebrations in honour of her and them!
Love
My head is tingling. How incredibly precious. Lots of love to you all. May their love that they had for each other all carry over to each of you.
That's beautiful!! Love you guys!!����
Nice pic
Such beautiful memories of a wonderful couple both as life partners and as parents.
Both our sets of parents were so similar in many ways Karyn...Their worship of God, of their children and especially of each other.
I like to listen to my Jim Reeves album alone in the car whilst remembering my parents and I still 'hear' dad singing to my mum the words of the classic song "Have I told you lately that I love you?" xx
Helped me through a very difficult time in Bombay when we were expecting our son Peter. Good friends.
Very precious.
Good to see their pictures again
Recalling the 70s
Thx
The best teacher
Beautiful story. Beautiful, well-lived life.
Pure love. ❤ although I never knew them, I know you -- thus the tears. >and for the fact that someday I will get to *know* them, too. ❤
Oh my goodness! Tears everywhere as next week on the 17th is my grandmother's birthday and marks 1 year without my grandaddy. This right here hit my heart deeply in a sorrowful way as my Mammaw has just begun this journey over this last year of celebrations without her husband for 65 years but also this gave me hope and joy to remember the celebrations without him are temporary and one day, they will have the most glorious celebration ever, praising God at the throne! It's hard being so far away from my family that still carries on traditions even when he is gone, but I'm so thankful to have a husband that reminds me of him and children that radiate his sense of humor and love for others. Thank you for sharing and blessing my heart and spirit today ��
Oh, my. How beautiful.��������
An eternal love story.. beautiful Karyn.. so miss them and their beautiful smiles.. thanks for sharing this pic that is how we remember them always
We miss them they are still in our hearts
I m glad to see you sir i am blessed by your preaching may God bless you and your family.
Hi Karyn, it was my joy of attending your dear parents Patricia and Allan Ironside's Wedding in Bombay Baptist Church , Mumbai. I CHERISH those sweet memories. They are now in the sweet presence of our Loving Creator God joined with dear Jake Johnson and Lloyd Raine.
We met your dad and mom first time 40 years ago in Greendale Wisconsin
They were young and deeply in love
We heard their life events and saw God's love permeating through their lives.
Since then we met them many times and Cherished our time together
Precious memories
Why you never became a writer by trade I'll never know. You always had a way of telling stories.
So beautiful and touching, Karyn!
Thank you for blessing us with your wonderful memories and traditions. What a precious gift and rich heritage you have! God bless you all and comfort your hearts as you feel your personal loss but rejoice that your parents are together again.
both of them are my precious teachers. I learned how to love my husband from aunty Pat. I will never forget them. I thank God for them. all the Berean graduates will salute them.
I had the privilege of sharing some special meals in the Ironside home in the mid-eighties in Three Hills. The company was wonderful and the food sublime (I especially remember some homemade chocolate eclairs). Such a blessing to a starving (haha!) college student! Thank you for sharing them with us.
May God bless them.
It's good to hear from you again, Karen. Thanks.
Each year when the first wild roses bloomed Dad brought one from the farm for Mom. This year I will, like you, Karyn, find my smile and look for that first rose.
Cherishing memories of these beloved. Great example. Loving heart. Great teachers.
Great memories of a great family. Touched so many lives and continues to till this day. RIP Aunty Pat & Uncle Alan till we meet again.
The first time I met your Dad and various sisters (including you, Karyn – you ALWAYS came with him, which I loved), your Mum was in the hospital in Calgary, and you all left to visit her immediately after the service. I have never forgotten your Dad’s message that morning (or any of the others, for that matter) – he talked about how much we are all loved. And he talked about your Mum. And I think I cried through the whole message. Your Mum went Home shortly after that first Sunday. And he came a few weeks later (we were without a pastor at the time), and through his grief, he ministered to us again. When we at Mountain View knew that Dr. Ironside was coming, we were there – he was not to be missed if at all possible.
In one of my last conversations with my own Dad, he told me that my Mom “has been the best friend I could ever have had!” And my Mom, since then, has said many times that Dad “was the best husband in the world!” How blessed we have been. And what examples of How to Live. I wish I could do it better and be like them myself. I fail miserably!
Thank you for this, my dear Karyn.
Happy anniversary uncle and Aunty
You are a gifted writer Karyn.
Thank you for sharing.
So beautiful.
Very sweet
Special Memories. Special Love. A special name for the new little baby too:). So thankful you are surrounded by the love of a wonderful family
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