Just one word

Stumpy Grinder and his wife Martha were from Portand, Maine. Every year they went to the Portland Fair and every year Stumpy said, “Ya know, Mahtha. I’d like ta get a ride in that theah aihplane.” And every year, Martha would say, “I know, Stumpy, but that aihplane ride costs ten dollahs . . . and ten dollahs is ten dollahs.”

So one year Stumpy says, “By Jeebers, Mahtha, I’m 71 yeahs old, and if I don’t go this time, I may nevah go.” Martha replies, “Stumpy, that there aihplane ride is ten dollahs . . . and ten dollahs is ten dollahs.”

The pilot overhears them and says, “Folks, I’ll make you a deal. I’ll take you both up for a ride. If you can stay quiet for the entire ride and not say ONE WORD, then I won’t charge you. But, just ONE WORD and it’s ten dollars.”

They agreed and up they go. The pilot does all kinds of twists and turns, rolls and dives, but not a word is heard. He does it one more time, and there is still no word. So, he lands. He turns to Stumpy as they come to a stop and says, “By golly, I did everything I could think of to get you to holler out, but you didn’t.”

And, Stumpy replies, “Well, I was gonna say something when Mahtha fell out . . . but, ten dollahs is ten dollahs.”

This little joke just begged me to define, in one word, what marriage is all about. So, I thought and thought, and came up with a choice word or two about the subject.

There are some who might say that marriage is all about love, or money, or sex, or convenience, or friendship, or even accumulating. There are also some who say their marriage was arranged. Many didn't want to be lonely. There are those who found spouses at match-em-up.com. A lot got hitched because of a baby. Some even got married because of a shotgun. In my generation, a girl's biggest ambition (according to her high school or college yearbook) was to find a husband, get married, settle down, have babies, and be a good housewife (complete with pearls, high heels, and a frilly apron).

Today, men and women get married for some or all of these reasons. The trick to staying married, however, is learning not to say that one word that will kill all the love, friendship, and affection between the two of you.

So, treat your marriage like it's an adventure that must be taken before you're too old to enjoy or appreciate it. And, don't think twice about spending that ten dollars, because he or she is worth it!