August 14th

• Honey and I were married 51 years ago in Uleta Florida at 8 pm on Friday night. It was misty raining, the photographer was late as he was shooting a launch and forgot he was supposed to be at our wedding! So we had to wait a few minuted until he arrived....they say that if you are married in the rain you will have lots of tears..We had our share believe me!!! We had our share of alot of things but mostly we had alot of love for each other...we never thought of divorce...felt like hitting him over the head several times but that was it!!!He would liked to have strangled me! But didn't!! He never, not one time hit me or even tried to hit me abuse me or mistreat me. He thinks too much of me and loves me very much...I know and feel his deep commitment to me...I am committed to him as well. How can we show the world the true love of God if we do not show it to each other .
• Back to the 14th...we had a beautiful ceremony at the Uleta Church of the Nazarene with his father and our minister officiating. I remember looking at him and thinking "how serious is this man" Lighten up" it isn't the end of the world just the beginning!!! The church that we belonged to would not allow the ministers to use the ring ceremony or allow the pair to exchange rings. So, when the ceremony was over and we went out side and then around the church to come into the front for pictures, we stopped under the biggest oak tree and he put the ring on my finger, we kissed and pledged our love forever. I shall never forget that part of my life until my senses take them away. I thought it was fun, laughed alot and was very excited to be Mrs.Windell Shirley, wife of Rev Windell Shirley. Amen!    In fact I was so excited I forgot to eat!!! We had some cake and that is what we had for our wedding supper...I had the  most beautiful blue dress with the white orchids off my bible as a corsage as a going away dress...
• As newlyweds in the 50's, things were looked upon differently. Women were to be followers and make her "man" the man!!!! And I did. Actually I mothered him so much and now 51 years later he expects it!! Now you just wait and hear what he will say!!!!lol lol  His mother was an excellent example. God rest her soul. When she passed away on  Oct 6 1996, I was as devastated as my husband. 
• I remember our first fight....it was about 3 months into our marriage...and he thought he had to have white bread at every meal ...and I didn't....and I forgot to buy white bread but  served him the best dinner without the bread and you can imagine what happened next!!!!wow....I think God had to close his ears to that conversation!!!!lol The end of the story...he got up and walked to the store ( about one block away) and got his bread...BUT you know I never forgot his bread again! He was my man!!!  Later on in our marriage he got over that as I weaned him ever so slowly from that notion!!!!! He didn't even realize it!!! Sorry honey!!! I love you...
• I learned to make biscuits and cornbread , actually  made biscuits every morning of my children s young lives...stopped when they entered high school as they became picky eaters! Teens!
• So today, 51 years later, I wish my sweet honey, who does not feel well today and is kinda cranky from not feeling well , a Happy anniversary and hope for many more. I love you Windell, my honey.
• So grandpa you have heard the story and  you  would have loved being at my wedding..I love you J