Love in the Later Years

What could be more tender as we hear the General Authorities speak about their wives.  Do you remember when Elder Scott shared his personal experiences with his wife Jeanine and his voice cracked?  If you don't remember it or if it was before your time - you can catch it here.

Elder Scott's closing words were so powerful as he spoke about his eternal love

"I know what it is to love a daughter of Father in Heaven who with grace and devotion lived the full feminine splendor of her righteous womanhood. I am confident that when, in our future, I see her again beyond the veil, we will recognize that we have become even more deeply in love. We will appreciate each other even more, having spent this time separated by the veil."

President Gordon B. Hinckley was President of the Church when his beloved, Marjorie, passed.  They had a relationship that was playful and enduring.  Sister Hinckley had a marvelous since of humor and was a delight to the whole Church.  President Hinckley openly mourned her loss.  

"My children and I were at her bedside as she slipped peacefully into eternity. As I held her hand and saw mortal life drain from her fingers, I confess I was overcome. Before I married her, she had been the girl of my dreams, to use the words of a song then popular. She was my dear companion for more than two-thirds of a century, my equal before the Lord, really my superior. And now in my old age, she has again become the girl of my dreams."

While it is comforting to look to our Church leaders as great examples of a happy marriage in later years, let's make one thing clear.  Marriage is work at any stage.  Some challenges that senior couples experience are becoming empty-nesters, the reality of retirement, declining health and caring for loved ones and the lose of loved ones.  A senior couple, who has accumulated stored-up personal resources such as patience, loyalty, and love can still find it difficult to find a sense of purpose navigate the challenges.