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By Major Chick Yuill –
After 28 years of unbroken married life I have become a bachelor again. However, there’s no need to panic. Margaret hasn’t left me–at least, not on a permanent basis. She’s just taken a week of our vacation to go back to England and check up on our daughters.
Jenni is a theology student at Oxford University and mother and daughter have spent a couple of days enjoying the delights of that fair city. Telephone messages have alerted me to the fact they’ve been punting on the river, dining in elegant restaurants, and otherwise enjoying the delights of the “city of dreaming spires”–all at my expense! Catriona is an actress in her first professional engagement and has been touring the UK in a production of Jane Austen’s “Pride and Prejudice.” Since neither of her parents had been able to see her on stage, this was the original incentive to Margaret’s trip. Further telephone reports have confirmed what I already suspected: our daughter is one of the finest young actresses in all of England. And, just in case you’re a little cynical, Margaret assures me that she is totally unbiased in her assessment.
Meanwhile, back in Pasadena, back at the corps, back at the office, back at the battle’s front, I have been working hard. You won’t find a hint of self-pity in my attitude. (Well, not unless you probe a little!) And I have to report that there are certain blessings and lessons to be gained from a period as a bachelor. Let me list for you some of the benefits of the past week.
- My culinary skills are very limited, but I have discovered that scrambled eggs and toasted muffins make a delicious meal at any time of the day. The quantity of eggs and muffins can be varied according to the degree of hunger experienced and the period of time which has elapsed since the last meal. However, if this same meal is repeated more than four or five times in a week, there is a tendency for it to become just a little tedious.
- Washing machines are sophisticated pieces of equipment and have greatly improved the lot of humanity. The only difficulty is that mere males can never figure out how to operate them. This can be avoided by wearing shirts, and even socks, for two days rather than one. (No one in the office seems to have noticed, although some have commented on the fact that we seem to be using the air conditioning more than is strictly necessary!)
- Solitude has value. Because Margaret’s sojourn in the UK coincided with Memorial weekend, I had one whole day that I spent on my own. The sense of physical, mental and emotional well-being produced by this opportunity to be totally alone was enormous. This is an exercise I will definitely repeat from time to time. Being alone is not the same as being lonely.
- Singleness is a gift. I’ve known this in my head for many years because I read it in the Bible. I now know it in my heart. I know that singleness is a valid, God-honoring life-style necessary to the total well-being of the Body of Christ on earth. But I know more clearly than ever that it isn’t my gift! I can survive a week of singleness–but only just!
Marriage is a wonderful blessing. My life is so inextricably bound up with Margaret that I am incomplete without her. The phrase, “my better half,” springs to mind. It is far more than a sentimental tag. It’s an accurate description of what my wife means in my life. When I meet Margaret at the airport I’m going to tell her not only that I love her, but that I have totally recommitted myself to making our marriage all that we–and God–want it to be.
Being apart has been a worthwhile lesson. But it’s one I’ve learned so well that I don’t think I will ever need to repeat it!