LLLV17 2-13-2017 A True Valentine Letter
Back in March of 1990 I received the following letter from Dr. Robertson McQuilken, President of Columbia Bible College. I wept when I first read this letter and I still weep after all these years.
Dear Friends,
"My dear wife, Muriel, has been in failing mental health for about eight years. So far, I have been able carry both her ever growing needs and the leadership responsibilities at CBC. But recently it has become apparent that Muriel is contented most of the time when she is with me and almost none of the time I am away from her. It is not just discontent. She is filled with fear-even terror-that she has lost me and always goes in search of me when I leave home. Then she may be full of anger when she cannot get to me. So, it is clear to me that she needs me now, full time.
Perhaps it would help you to understand if I shared with you what I shared at the time of the announcement of my resignation in chapel. The decision was made, in a way forty-two years ago, when I promised to care for Muriel, "in sickness and in health. - till death do us part." So, as I told the students and faculty, as a man of my word, integrity has something to do with it. But so does fairness. She has cared for me fully and sacrificially all these years; if I cared for her for the next forty years I would not be out of debt. Duty, however, can be grim and stoic. But there is more; I love Muriel. She is a delight to me-her childlike dependence and confidence in me, her warm love, occasional flashes of that wit I used relish so, her happy spirit and tough resilience in the face of her continual distressing frustration. I do not have to care for her. I get to! It is a high honor to care for so wonderful a person.
Robertson McQuilken
Dr. McQuilken and Muriel had been married for 55 years when she passed in 2003. He later remarried, wrote 19 books and went to be with Jesus June 2016. If you want a real marriage strengthener check this.
http://www.christianitytoday.com/gleanings/2016/june/died-robertson-mcquilkin-columbia-president-alzheimers-ciu.html
Be sure to have a hanky.
It is possible to have a Happy Valentine’s Day.
Copyright © 2016 Larry Lilly
Great IT by Oral Deckard
Back in March of 1990 I received the following letter from Dr. Robertson McQuilken, President of Columbia Bible College. I wept when I first read this letter and I still weep after all these years.
Dear Friends,
"My dear wife, Muriel, has been in failing mental health for about eight years. So far, I have been able carry both her ever growing needs and the leadership responsibilities at CBC. But recently it has become apparent that Muriel is contented most of the time when she is with me and almost none of the time I am away from her. It is not just discontent. She is filled with fear-even terror-that she has lost me and always goes in search of me when I leave home. Then she may be full of anger when she cannot get to me. So, it is clear to me that she needs me now, full time.
Perhaps it would help you to understand if I shared with you what I shared at the time of the announcement of my resignation in chapel. The decision was made, in a way forty-two years ago, when I promised to care for Muriel, "in sickness and in health. - till death do us part." So, as I told the students and faculty, as a man of my word, integrity has something to do with it. But so does fairness. She has cared for me fully and sacrificially all these years; if I cared for her for the next forty years I would not be out of debt. Duty, however, can be grim and stoic. But there is more; I love Muriel. She is a delight to me-her childlike dependence and confidence in me, her warm love, occasional flashes of that wit I used relish so, her happy spirit and tough resilience in the face of her continual distressing frustration. I do not have to care for her. I get to! It is a high honor to care for so wonderful a person.
Robertson McQuilken
Dr. McQuilken and Muriel had been married for 55 years when she passed in 2003. He later remarried, wrote 19 books and went to be with Jesus June 2016. If you want a real marriage strengthener check this.
http://www.christianitytoday.com/gleanings/2016/june/died-robertson-mcquilkin-columbia-president-alzheimers-ciu.html
Be sure to have a hanky.
It is possible to have a Happy Valentine’s Day.
Copyright © 2016 Larry Lilly
Great IT by Oral Deckard