TWO

 
The title of my homily is, “Two.”
 
T – W – O.
 
I wasn’t too sure on what to preach on – so I wrote this story – this morning. And I figured it has to have the theme of unity – the theme of our retreat this weekend.
 
Two sisters married two brothers.
 
The two marriages worked.
 
But they worked very differently.
 
Both sisters were school teachers.
 
Both brothers were accountants.
 
Jack and Marsha had 6 kids.
 
Mildred and Max had 2 kids.
 
Mildred and Max moved out west in the early years of their marriage – San Francisco. It was because of a job offer.
 
They would see Jack and Marsha from time to time – at weddings – funerals – and a few other major family get togethers.
 
All 6 of Jack and Marsha’s kids got married.
 
Both of Mildred and Max’s kids got married.
 
Those 8 marriages produced 28 kids – and as of now 11 grandkids.
 
Marsha and Mildred would talk on the phone once a month – and in time – every week – and without knowing it – without planning it – both decided on moving to Naples, Florida in their retirement. The men without knowing it, went along with it.
They bought houses next door to each other.
 
It worked.
 
Every evening  - well not every evening – but many evenings they began walking together – after supper.
 
They had a whole lifetime to figure out – to talk about – to think over.
 
They had their surgeries and their surprises – their stories and their secrets – their successes and their failures.
 
They had parents both of whom they knew.
 
They would say, “It’s not supposed to go this nicely.  It could end up being problematic – but it looks like it isn’t.”
 
The oldest in the family married the youngest in the family – on both sides.
 
They explored how blessed that was.
 
They explored their work history: school teachers and accountants. High school teacher and pre-K teacher, Big school and little school. East Coast – West Coast. Big company-small company.  Interesting.
 
Max and Mildred had stopped going to church a long time ago.
 
Jack and Marsha didn’t say anything. Two of their kids went to church. The other 4 were drop outs – but all 6 were married in church. The two marriages in the next generation. No.
 
One of Max and Mildred’s kids goes to church.
 
After 1000 walks together – in the evening - in Naples Florida – both couples figured out how lucky they were. They figured out that time and talking and walking together – were the secret of a good marriage.
 
In their second year down in Naples – Max started to go to Mass on Sunday mornings – the early Mass – but not with Jack and Marsha – then Midred started to go with Max – then all 4 started to go to Mass together – with Sunday Morning breakfast afterwards -  together – which became as sacred as the Mass.
 
Food together.
 
Family.
 
Friendship.
 
They lucked out with good health. “It’s the walking!”
 
They figured out the secret of life: using time well, presence, listening, accepting people as they are – not as we wish they were.
 
They noticed the little things: how mom and dad had special chairs, how they had special chairs, how life has both sacred searchings and trivia pursuits.
 
They learned the importance of passing things down – in family – and how to make the transfers work.
 
They knew death was in the wings  - because they did their parents deaths – very taxing and troublely at times – but they did it.
 
They know the importance of photographs – everywhere.
 
They invite their many friends from the east and west coast – to Florida – on a regular basis.
 
They learned the meaning of the words in Genesis – new translation:  “It’s not good for people to be alone. Partner up.”
 
And one Sunday there – at breakfast after Mass – Max said, “Tough readings today on divorce. Wow have we been blessed!”
And they clinked their coffee cups together.”