Wednesday, August 4, 2010

potato, potahto...

On our way home, we stopped just inside the Oregon border - in a tiny oceanfront town. Neil had made reservations there because it made sense geographically - and because he wanted an ocean view. There were simple rooms; old & run down - but with white bleached towels and clean vibrant blue carpets that matched the bright blue sailboats on the curtains. By the time we arrived, the sun had already set - so we missed what would have been the best view of all - but we layed our weary little ones down & waited to see what morning's light would bring to that dark glass window.

Morning didn't disappoint as we saw a rocky shore & water as far as our eyes could see... Long grass waving in the chilly wind and white capped waves that would rise and crash, pausing before jumping back to life again in a wild rhythmical dance: leaping, lunging, crashing, rising...

We had to stand to appreciate the view, as the ancient construction of the building did little to maximise the majestic view outside it's brown chipped window frames.

We didn't have very much time to stop & sip our coffee though, as the rest of the Oregon coast followed by most of the state of Washington lay waiting for us, so we quickly dressed & headed over to take advantage of their little continental breakfast.

& that's when i saw them.

There was a couple there... they were probably a good 10 years older than us. They didn't have any children in tow - & they were that kind of married couple where they've been married so long, they sort of look alike. They were dressed similarly in their long white shorts, equally long white socks and functional runners. Each placed 2 hard boiled eggs on their plate followed by 2 pieces of cantaloupe. She got his coffee for him as he got her cutlery & i almost stopped to stare at their synchrony.

It reminded me of a conversation Neil & i had as we pulled out of the scorching California desert to head back home...

"Oh, Neil - i'd never get tired of that heat. When i walk out of the air conditioning, it feels like the world is giving me a big warm hug all over..."

"Really? It feels like a big punch in the face to me."

& i knew as i watched that couple with the eggs & cantaloupe that Neil & i will never be that couple. i'm small & blonde - he's big & brown... but our differences go so far beyond the physical. Our temperature, taste in food, clothing, reading & sports have never been areas of common ground...

But it will never matter...

We compromise. i'll quit reading my book (he gets lonesome) if he'll turn off the country music. i'll watch golf with him - if he'll let me sit close. i'll wear warm clothes for travelling - & he'll give me the tomatoes & pickles out of his burger. Our differences make it a delightful work of modern art. Splashes & stripes of colour - in seeming random strokes on a canvas - creating a priceless piece of breathtaking beauty.

So keep your matching plates of canteloupe and eggs.

i'll take our mismatched jumble of preferences & passions - our compromising ensemble of varying tastes and textures that make our breakfasts...
& our marriage...

delicious.

5 comments:

Jen said...

I like it.
Reminded me of a conversation we had in your cute little Daysland house. You were kinda telling me your life story and describing how you and Neil met. You said he was a preppy jock (not sure if those were your exact words...) and you said you were from the "nuts & berries" crowd. Made me laugh :)

Denise said...

... and the neat thing about it is the people with their matching eggs and cantelope were probably really enjoying themselves, too!!! Every relationship is so unique ... it's interesting how God puts people together to compliment the strengths and weaknesses of the other ... and sometimes he gives us what we need (even though we didn't know it at the time!) ... Glad you guys had a good holiday... I'd love to go to Washington sometime as my Dad's brother lives not far from the coast there (he used to be at Ocean Shores but moved to another town not too far away)...

I don't drink the coffee but John can drink almost a whole pot himself (and then he takes a Horton's travel cup to work) so we have gotten in the habit of sitting and talking while the semi warms up and he drinks his coffee (he doesn't do breakfast) ... it is nice to do that ... it was hard to get used to for a while as Gordon and I never communicated like that, but it is so good and refreshing to keep in touch...

Blessings... Gotta run to Wainwright for supplies...

paige said...

Totally, Denise!! i thought that myself as i watched them :) Sometimes i wonder what it would be like if Neil & i were more alike - but our differences are part of what we liked about each other in the first place, so might as well embrace 'em.

fawne said...

beautiful reminder paige.
i love, love that we are all different. each marriage is a picture...each is different, unique and special. and each should be what it is meant to be. and that always looks different for every couple.
i also love your example of marriage. thank you for encouraging me in that.

Lori-Dawn said...

yup, Jamie and I are SO different too...but it's an incredibly good match!

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