“In Sickness and in Health”
“In Sickness and in Health”- a simple line in traditional wedding vows, but words my grandfather Louis C. Ridenour has taught me the true meaning. Sixty years ago, on October 17th, 1954, my grandparents Louis and Naomi (Mendenhall) Ridenour were married at Morningside Gospel Church in South Bend. They met in the third grade at Mount Pleasant School, a three room country school house. For my grandfather, it was love at first sight. My grandmother, however, was not impressed by the love notes he would write her. I remember my grandmother telling me, how on one ocassion the teacher caught my grandfather wrting her a note and made him read it aloud to the class. My grandfather continued his persistance, depsite my grandmother’s continual rejection. His interest continued on into High School and even after graduation. Finally, on one ocassion he called my grandmother and asked to take her to church and she finally said YES! They began dating and sixty years later, have 2 daughters and son-in-laws, 6 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. Ten years ago, my grandmother wrote a short article in honor of their 50th wedding anniversary. I know that if she could, she would write one for their 60th anniversary. It was around that time ten years ago, we began noticing that she was forgetting many things. Five years later, she was diagnosed with Alzheimers. Today, she does not recognize many people and sadly, sometimes does not remember me. We have watched her memory slowly fade away, however, she has not forgotten the old gospel hymns or my grandfather. When I see her, or call her, I enjoy singing with her, for in these moments, I have my grandmother with me for a little while. When I ask her a question and she does not know how to respond, she replies “Better ask the boss, Louie knows what is best”. Happy 60th anniversary Grandma and Grandpa. Thank you Grandpa, for showing us through your actions, the true meaning of love.
My grandmother wrote this for their 50th Anniversary
