Twenty Years and Counting

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Twenty Years and Counting
by Robert Yoho, Associate Editor

August 14, 2002

"Eye on Conservatism"

Columnist Robert Yoho On this, the occasion of our twentieth wedding anniversary, my thoughts have turned from the body politic to the person of my wife, JoEllen. I have been extraordinarily blessed.

In Proverbs 31, there is the Scripture’s description of the ideal woman. I am convinced that I married her.

For over twenty years — when she was scarcely tall enough to climb the steps — she worked with her dad and mom, bringing kids to church on a bus. Some of them were dirty and unkempt, but JoEllen loved each one of them as though they were hers. The only love and attention many of these children received each week came from Jo and her parents. Although they no longer work on the bus, JoEllen takes care of kids each week in the church nursery. She cannot help herself. JoEllen loves children.

But what I find most amazing is her ability to care equally for each one. Her capacity to love is endless. Any child who comes into the reach of her arms is truly blessed. Each one will receive the same love and affection that she gives our own three children.

There is unselfishness about her rarely seen these days. She thinks that "having it all" doesn’t mean she has to balance a home and career. We have chosen to do without some material things in order that she might stay home and take care of the children.

We don’t buy a new vehicle every couple of years. We do not own a boat. Our home is not as fancy as many of those around us. But that is fine with her. We do not owe our soul to the credit card companies. We are not up to our backsides in debt. She and I are happy with the life we have chosen.

Children don’t just need a mother at home in their early formative years; they also need someone there when they are teenagers, getting off the bus. JoEllen has chosen to be there for them -- to know where they are, who they are with, and when they will be home. Thanks to her, it is less likely that society will be ever be burdened by the children who grew up in our home.

She rarely buys herself a new dress, choosing rather to go to yard sales, thereby saving her money to buy better clothes for our kids. JoEllen doesn’t need expensive things to make her happy. She appreciates each thing I do or purchase for her, no matter the price tag. A secondhand ring is a treasured thing if it was purchased for solely for her.

She shares my love of the outdoors. We go hunting together. I was with her when she killed her first deer. She encourages my interest in writing. She tolerates my love of politics.

We have enjoyed many good times together. We have endured the bad ones. She stood by me in the dark days, when our sixteen month old nephew — a child we practically raised — died suddenly.

JoEllen can take a joke as well as she can dish one out. She isn’t easily offended. She appreciates the differences between women and men. She likes men, because she thinks many women are so petty that they cannot take a joke. She loves to engage in harmless verbal sparring with many of my friends. And Heaven help them when they do!

She is kind and giving. She is generous to a fault. She is fiercely protective of her friends and family. She expects the best of people and is often disappointed. There is absolutely no pretense to the woman. She wears her heart on her sleeve.

There has never been a man who had a truer friend or better companion. She is my best friend. She is a trusted advisor. She is a wonderful wife and mother. That is why I happily keep coming home to her each day. Moreover, I count my blessings when I wake up next to her each day.

Twenty years ago, I picked one of the most precious flowers in God’s garden. And she married a blooming idiot. ***

Photo of Robert Yoho courtesy of staff files