We have been married 55 years. Thank you dear Don for loving me the way you do and for your patience through all our struggles and joys.

Here is my story as I have been living with you all these years.

Living With my Unique Soul Mate

Living as a pastor’s wife found me in a role that did not come naturally. Many times you reminded me, “Pam, I want you to just be yourself”. I often had to remind myself of that during many challenging moments. But we worked as a team, supporting each other.

Our three wonderful children braved through the “PC” years exceptionally well. As they got older their dad often reminded them to find their own paths and they certainly did! We are proud of each one, Terry, Karen and Kurt. Their spouses are exceptional people to know.

Living with a non-judgmental spouse (politics, an exception) is a caring Christian person. People like him for his down-to-earth approach to life. He can carry a long conversation with anyone. This reminds me of one of our vacation trips with another couple, while walking together along the sidewalk in a small town. As a stranger walked by us Don stopped him and started a conversation with the man. The event seemed to take at least twenty minutes as we waited for Don to rejoin us. Even though I may have heard his conversations before I always find them interesting.

Living with a spouse who loves to have fun. That is a priority of his. I agree with him when he says,” I’m so glad we traveled when we did”. Not only sightseeing throughout our country, Canada and Mexico where we did much hiking together and with our children. An extreme love for music, concerts and theater play an important role in his life. A great diversity of LP records, CDs, VCR tapes and DVDs are ready to entertain us during the evening hours. Our favorite films are the comedies. In these times one needs to “ laugh more and often”.

Living with an inquisitive spouse means starting the day reading the news. Civic minded Don occasionally writes letters to the editor of the local newspaper. You can find him in libraries and archives several times a week doing research and then painstakingly typing his findings onto his computer. His speed typing and still agile fingers have served him well since learning to type in high school.  And he is a member of the History Book Club. An over flow of books fill shelves in his brother’s basement.

Living with my retired spouse means listening to his, “Did you hear the story about?” jokes repeatedly.  He began his retirement searching family histories and put together a book of the Repsher Genealogies. We take time to do things together like enjoying a movie together from the stacks of DVDs that I transferred from old VHS tapes. Also I am thankful we are able do some traveling. Driving his 2001 Honda Insight gives him much joy. Getting 60 to 70 miles to a gallon is something to brag about.

He spends most of his time researching for the Lenape people of the area and attends some of their functions. The Lenape honor him. He speaks with humor and concern to local groups interested in their local history.  His book that refers to the Lenape, titled “A Common Sense Life: tales of a long ago forest” is almost ready to hit the shelves. Another book is in the works: “Revisiting Genesis: the beginning of beginnings“. What comes next? As long as he can type there will be more.

My love for Don continues forever.