tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4528447036529454596.post5413073652553797994..comments2023-03-20T09:51:54.625-04:00Comments on Earthquake Trees - Reuel: Marriage and In-LawsJonathan Reuelhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/08869299657880994711noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4528447036529454596.post-82958578347504304762010-04-02T19:37:07.324-04:002010-04-02T19:37:07.324-04:00This was really great to read, and what a fabulous...This was really great to read, and what a fabulous and brave idea, Jonathan! Wouldn't it be amazing if we could do that more often? Intentionally gather to talk about our common relationships and learn from one another? <br /><br />Also, hello, Joel. Nice to meet you. :-) What you said about people dismissing your happiness with your bride is very similar to the input we received about our children when they were babies, then toddlers, then children, etc. Every stage that we enjoyed was met by the opinion from others that we should "just wait 'til..." whatever "terrible" stage we hadn't yet experienced. What a downer! Yes, there are definitely very challenging times in parenting. As a matter of fact, in addition to marriage, it is <i>the</i> most difficult thing I've ever done, but to look to the future with dread? I've enjoyed my children through every stage of their lives, even the difficult ones, and think we would all do each other a great deal of good if we would instead say, "OH! I loved that time in my relationship with my child! Treasure it. They're such amazing human beings!"<br /><br />I look forward to reading more of your thoughts and would like to hear about some of the things you're all learning about marriage.Thicket Dwellerhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00327346422310447867noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4528447036529454596.post-58444053978228961892010-03-31T12:12:17.387-04:002010-03-31T12:12:17.387-04:00Thanks for this. I get so sick of our culture'...Thanks for this. I get so sick of our culture's cynicism about marriage. My nausea has been newly awakened in that most folks write off my happiness with my new bride (and our general delight at being together) as a honeymoon phenomenon. Likewise, I <b>like</b> my inlaws and both Deb and Chrissy have seemed to appreciate and enjoy the family they married into.<br /> <br />You're definitely onto something with the thoughts about honoring. It should be ordinary for us to honor each other (especially the one we marry) but it seems that it has sadly become a surprising oddity.<br /><br />Your mention of marriage and heaven and hell evokes, well, of course, The Marriage of Heaven and Hell, in which Blake posits a union that appears impossible but (notwithstanding Lewis' response, which, fittingly enough, I've come to respect in its own right) ultimately possible, prophet-able and productive. It also brings to mind what INXS said about the devil inside. Those who see so much hell might ask themselves how much they carry of it in their hearts.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com