August 21 marks the anniversary of Owen and Jeanette Hardage’s marriage in 1948. They were familiar with the kind of societal disruptions that we are seeing now due to the coronavirus and they would be able to commiserate with people who are celebrating important milestones without all of their loved ones present. You see, the late 1940s saw the growth of a U.S. polio epidemic; late summer was “polio season” and people avoided congregating, so attendance at their wedding was affected. Jeanette records in her journal that Owen’s own sister and her family would not come to see them tie the knot.
That temporary disappointment, while notable, took nothing away from the deep love that Owen and Jeanette enjoyed for over 61 years of married life. The poem below, written in 2004 and published as part of Jeanette’s Faith and Other Matters anthology, is an exuberant celebration of the special bond that she and Owen had. May we all be touched by such a love!
Love
Love, the soul’s delight and joyful song,
Wild spirit tamed, pure consolation,
Clandestine tryst, enemy of wrong,
Every promise true, no hesitation,Treasure of pleasure and sorrow, each in turn,
Regenerating touch of hand or lip,
Banquet of affinity, caress’s burn,
Contented memory, joyful fellowship,Cupid’s bow of twinned taut heartstrings,
Flower of hope, consuming passion dawned,
Youth’s fond dream, the heart’s yearnings,
Age’s comfort, sweet surrender’s bond,Ah—yes—gracious Helper, holy Dove,
Sonnet after George Herbert’s Prayer
Heaven’s highest gift and honor—Love.