Got an invitation to a wedding anniversary for a couple of friends of ours. They are celebrating 65 years of being married. Can you even remember 65 years ago? The whole thing has my close relative just wringing her hands.

The first thing was bringing the invite out to the barn to show me. Here she came, yelling at me to pay attention, and sorta jogging along. I thought she had gotten a letter from a lawyer informing her of her great uncle’s death and that he left her a million dollars and 40 sections in downtown Dallas, the way she was carrying on. She just had to show me the letter.

The second thing to occur was her tears. I was shocked at tears and, having lived for more than a few years, I knew better than to casually ask why. She began snuffling while I was reading the invite, and when I looked up she was right on the edge of bawling. I figured there was only one thing to do, so Iput my arm around her and patted her shoulder. That broke the dam and she let ‘er go!

I sorta dug around in the pocket of my jacket and found a rag, shook out the hay and dirt and offered it up for the need. I also realized that if I stood still and observed the silence, she would soon be telling me why she was so emotional. Here it came. She was so happy for them - just think, 65 years!

Yes, just think, and I am a happily married man, but just think. By the time the 65th year rolls around, I won’t be able to hear, my eyes will be blurry, my teeth won’t be mine and I might even have hardware for joints! My poor old handswill be knotted up and when I point north the index finger will go east! Getting on a horse will be next to impossible and if I ever got thrown, I’d bust into a million fragments.

The third thing came then. The date of the big bash wasmy question, and sometimes I wish I’d just learn to keep my mouth shut!

She retrieved the card from the envelope, and as she looked she began crying again. It was the day after Thanksgiving, and from here to there is about 700 miles and might as well be 7 thousand because we are required to be here on that very special day!

It is my opinion, and everyone has one, not one person looks at things the same way as another person.

I guess my close relative and I are about as close to being alike as anyone I know, but we are sure enough different in some manners.

Did you ever wonder what makes us think that red looks the same to the other feller? We might be all calling something red that is anything but!

I am thankful the folks have had 65 years of marriage, but I am also thankful the party is the day after Thanksgiving because I didn’t want to go! Don’t you tell my close relative I said that. I get in so much trouble by myself, I sure don’t need your help!

Bill is a pen name used by the Gravette author of this weekly column.

Community, Pages 6 on 11/24/2010