When we moved into this house, there were so many questions. Most of the questions were from me, as I had never lived in town. I had never lived in a neighborhood. I had never lived anywhere where one could have pizza delivered to their house. We moved onto a street that had almost entirely been inhabited by retired people.
Well unfortunately for them, our family is anything but quiet. Since then, other families with small children have moved onto the street. It is lively to say the least.
The home right beside of ours houses a retired preacher and his wife. When we moved here, I just thought she was a quiet wife to a Baptist preacher.
In the last eight years, I have seen the progression of faith and devotion. And thankfully, so have my children. The beautiful wife, who I thought was simply timid, was battling health problems that I knew nothing about. Her health declined, then revived and declined again.
We have been here for 8 years. We have watched this man push her chair (when she was unable to walk), or walk her hand in hand on small journeys out to feel the warm sunlight. I have seen him take her to church, guide her to the swing to sit, and struggle to get her out into the world so she can see and feel life.
His kindness and grace has been evident to me. But more importantly, to my boys. My boys have seen this love. They have witnessed his unshakable love for his wife. There are no words that can explain what witnessing a man who loves his wife in this way means. He makes sure she is wearing makeup. He ensures she is wearing a broach and her favorite earrings. I’m assume that years have gone by in their marriage where he was busily serving the church that she was unsure that he even noticed the care she put into what sweater and which broach she wore together. But in these years, it is evident….he noticed. He takes such pride in ensuring that she looks the way she always did– beautiful.
Every woman wants to be loved the way Mrs. Rebecca is loved. We all long to know that someone will love us unconditionally. But what I have witnessed surpasses any of those expectations.
We received an unimaginable blessing when we moved onto this street. True love and commitment residing right next door. Every year on their anniversary, he relives their love story’s beginnings for us. He colorfully tells us how she chose him over a brand new car, and how they married the day after his birthday so people wouldn’t judge because she was a few months older…all with boyishly growing excitement and love.
Thank you, Mr. Whittacker for showing the 7 young children on this street (and their parents) how strong, resilient, timeless, and pure love can be.
❤️ Shalom Mr. Whittacker and Mrs. Rebecca