A Blissful Couple

by Michael Webb



I've known Bud and Dorothy Adison for 25 years now and they are as
blissful as any two people I've ever met.  I met them when they
used to take "Grandma" Adison for evening strolls on my college
campus and befriended a number of us students.

The Adisons had a very pleasant home about a 20 minute car ride
away and on several Saturday mornings a group of us students would
drive there to feast on Norwegian pancakes, lox, bagels, fresh
squeezed orange juice and other wonderful delights.  But honestly,
we enjoyed their company even more than the food.

Dorothy was a retired British Airways flight attendant and Bud was
retired from several careers, most recently high school principal.
Grandma was about 90 the first time we went over and she
entertained us by reciting from memory dozens of poems she had
written during her long life.

I never once heard Bud or Dorothy raise their voice to one another.
 I never heard them complain about anything.  They were actively
involved in their church and volunteered in the community, keeping
a busier schedule than most of us college kids.  We all looked up
to Bud and Dorothy and often commented to each other that we wished
we could have that sort of relationship and love for one another.

One thing I forgot to mention.  Bud and Dorothy aren't husband and
wife.  They are brother and sister.  Neither has ever married.
They bought a house and moved in together about 45 years ago so
they could better take care of their elderly mother (which they
lovingly did until she was 97).  Years after their mother's death
they still live together, travel together and entertain together.
They truly have a blissful relationship.

In too many cultures single people are seen as incomplete.  Some
unmarried men and women consider themselves failures if they are
unable to attract a mate.  In my opinion, the only thing you need
to be complete is a relationship with your Creator.  While it is
not good for men (or women) to be alone, no one should get married
just to prevent loneliness.  If you do, you are likely to have far
worse situations to deal with than feeling lonely.

By now you probably know that I have what I believe to be an
incredible wife.  My marriage adds so much to my life.  But I would
be inconsiderate and incorrect to say that marriage should be the
goal of everyone.  There are men and women who can have very
fulfilling lives while being single.  For some it is even an
honorable goal.

While those of us who have wonderful marriages are indeed blessed,
blissful relationships aren't limited to a husband and wife.  You
can get wonderful satisfaction out of a blissful relationship with
friends, brothers, sisters, parents and even grandparents.  Anyone
who knows Bud and Dorothy would agree that they couldn't possibly
be more "complete.