June 10 would have been your 60th wedding anniversary.
How striking you both looked on June 10, 1961, ready to take on the world, "striving together" - your inscription inside your wedding bands.
And for 46 years you did just that. You both worked diligently and without complaint, a true team even when you weren't physically together in the same city.
Our home was filled with laughter, with singing, with conversation. With people.
With love.
You raised the six of us to love each other. You instilled into us that old acrostic for JOY:
Jesus first
Others next
Yourself last
And you walked the talk. There are many people in many parts of the world who can attest to your love for God, your love for each other, your love for your kids (both us and the many others whom you also loved and prayed for faithfully), and your love for pretty much anyone with whom you came into contact.
You both enjoyed teaching and you were good at it, investing into your students' lives.
You lived life to the fullest, with integrity, curiosity and enthusiasm.
On what should have been your 50th anniversary, Dad prepared a crown roast banquet for us, complete with fine china and the antique silverware he lovingly polished because "that's what Mum would have liked."
After the feast, we all went out to the graveyard and we sang some of the mighty old hymns: "Amazing Grace" and "Great is Thy Faithfulness" and "Because He Lives I Can Face Tomorrow". Even though one of you was in heaven and the other still on earth, it didn't seem like you were that far apart.
And now, for your 60th anniversary - even though I am not sure how it all plays out up there - I imagine you are together, even closer than you were down here.
We are all doing okay, for the most part. You wouldn't have liked the last 15 months if you had still been with us: your deepest earthly joy was to be together as a family. But the vicissitudes of life without you have kept us close to each other, and nothing can take away that bond. That is something you both prayed for, I know. Thank you for teaching us that the greatest of all is love.
We would never wish you back; but, oh, how we miss you!
I can just hear you singing to us ...
Goodnight, our God is watching o'er you
Goodnight, His mercies go before you
Goodnight, and we'll be praying for you
So goodnight, may God bless you.
62 comments:
Oh what a great blessing they are in our lives
Blessed Memories
I love this picture ❤️of Beloved couple Patricia &Allan Ironside.It was my joy to know them both through Bombay Baptist Church & Berean Bible College.I was present at their Wedding. Miss them.
A 60th Anniversary is marked by diamonds ◇
Karyn, both your parents were true Diamonds: very strong, firm when they needed to be and shining brightly like a beacon guiding others around them towards the right path.
"Happy Heavenly Anniversary ❤️"
So beautifully written Karyn. You are surely blessed to have experienced such loving parents. God bless.
Beautiful tribute to your beautiful parents Karyn ! Their godly legacy will continue .❤❤
Such A blessed couple
In the Lord's kingdom
Godly and wonderful couple . Brought many to Christ
I loved them both so much. Always there with open arms, I felt the genuine love they had for me, one of their many "adopted" children. ❤️
Absolutely beautiful... Love them and their beautiful memories !!
There’s so much love in this picture ❤️❤️❤️
Beautiful Karyn!
Beautiful! How blessed you are and were. Your parents are what a home should be.
Happy 60th Anniversary and just too think you are spending it with The King and it’s forever.
Beautiful couple indeed!! Forever thankful to God for their impact in my life❤️
The physical children as well as extended children are so much blessed
Another similarity between our parents (your Mum and my Dad share a birthday)! It’s my parents’ 60th anniversary this year as well - a month (almost to the day) after your parents.
Thinking of them and you...
Two of my favorite people! Miss them! ❤️
Awww… so cute !
Now, I remember the tune of that song ��
Goodnight… our God is watching o’er you.
Absolutely precious! Thanx once again for sharing with us.❤️❤️❤️❤️
Amazing precious couple, their memories linger, misses them.
Karyn, So beautiful and so true .. taught us so much about love.. love these pictures of them always smiling ..miss talking to them
Miss them a lot and so thankful for their mentor ship towards me.
A very beautiful tribute Karyn!❤️
such beautiful people❤️
Nice. I think my parents 60th was April 6. My dad passed away in a car accident in 1987 though we never forget!
Pravin, I had wondered what had happened to your Dad. I am so sorry to hear this. Mr Wilson was an amazing man. So full of dignity and kindness.
So beautiful
This picture says it all!
❤️❤️❤️
Love this picture... that's exactly how I remember your parents ❤️
Heather, I think you know who would have captured them so well in a picture!
Blessed by their ministry ❤️
❤️❤️❤️
Amen
Mine also, had he lived!
Love the pic! Happy memories!
I love that JOY acrostic- going to have to borrow that! What a beautiful tribute....I can’t think of anything I’d rather have my kids say about me than what you wrote there- what a gift!
Your parents were such a joy…hugs Karyn❤️
We still remember our first meeting in Greendale, Wisconsin. And the last. Meeting in Canada. We do miss them. But we know they ran the race well that God planned for them on this side of heaven
Awww, amazing soul. I really miss your mom.
What a blessing they were in your life and what a precious gift you have been to them. The circle of love. ❤️
What a great life they lead and certainly passed it on to you ❤
Deanna thank you for this. It takes all six of us to keep up to them!!
Lovely. Blessing to have godly parents.
Naomi, as you know well yourself... xoxo
Your parents were so precious to me Karyn!! I have so many wonderful memories of times with your family! Happy Anniversary Aunty Patty and Uncle Allan!!❤️❤️❤️
You were always their Brenda Lee!! ❤️❤️❤️
Precious ❤️
They had something no-one can describe, no-one can measure, and no-one can take away.
That rich, creamy love, smoother than buttermilk; that starry radiance, brighter than candles; that fragrant presence, sweeter and deeper than black rose powder. They had the essence of life itself, living water from within, unstoppable, thirst satisfying, soul restoring. No wonder we loved being with them.
Goodnight, see you in the morning, dearest, Dad and Mum. Most beloved earthly partings open a gateway to heaven’s inner door. ♥️ Behind that door is laughter, wisdom, feasting, and song! See you soon!
Bronwyn, well said. Well said.
Precious!❤️
Whenever your parents come to my mind I feel lifted with kindness.
Your parents lived their lives not only preaching God and the gospel, but God living through them.
And while that description may give someone who didn’t know them an impression of people guarded, and maybe quietly invisible … that was far from them.
The blend of the two together brought a kindness, genuine interest in others well-being, sparkling conversation, and fun … somehow continually blended with spiritual sincerity. They made people feel seen and loved. They complemented each other so well.
I’m sure you know that I feel a special joy when I especially think of your mom.
I truly love her, and loved being around her. She was so entertaining, without any intention of being entertaining. It was just who she was by being who she was.
There is not a time that I think of your mom and dad without a feeling of warmth … and without recalling with a smile, your mom naming me “The wicked woman”.
They were both truly exceptional people.
This “wicked woman” will never forget them … their love for each other, and their servants hearts.
Oh Arlene McComish... Thank you for this. How they loved your family - and HOW she loved you. Of all the people I know, you are akin to her. You both are genuine through and through. You speak the truth in love. You notice people and you hear them, because you are genuinely interested in them. You have a quick intelligence, and you can put people at their ease.
You both shine your light just by being you. By letting God's light shine through you.
Oh, you "wicked woman" you. I love you.
Love this ❤️beautifully expressed
What a wonderful tribute to two precious people. You had me in tears as I read it. They made an indelible impression on my heart for the time I knew them and I am richer for it. Will never forget them!
ARLENE YOU are so great at expressing yourself and giving praise a wonderful tribute yes we knew Patty also and enjoyed her company Wonderful when a couple can leave such a wonderful legacy as they did
Dear. Dr.Ironside & family. I am proud to be your last student in India. What a great examplary life you lived ! I learned lot of things from you. One day we will meet you with the Lord in the air.
So lovely! Missed them so much.
So beautiful this tribute to your dear parents. Thanks for sharing
The most wonderful people I have ever known. Really miss them ❤️
Oh Pravin. You know how much they loved you... Wish we could all be together again...
Pravin Subbaiah thank you for saying this. It helps me realize how incredible they were, and want to be more like them. You were a treasure to them.
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