Creative Tension

Thirty-five years ago we set out together

only to painfully and frustratingly discover how very different we are.

For years we have been doing the clumsy dance

of trying to wed our differences and produce legitimate offspring.

Along the way about three decades in… we were surprised to discover

how very much alike we are in one vital way…

After suffering though our differences for a few years

and learning to celebrate them for a few decades

—during which we raised eight beautiful, personable, creative, intelligent, unique children

—we now sit quietly of an evening in our cottage and create things.

I tell stories with words and keyboard

and occasionally even an old-fashioned pen and paper.

She tells stories with images.

In a very core way we are alike.

We both are and always have been childlike creatives.

Neither of us are easily discouraged.

We spar with each other a bit

but we have always faced the whole wide world back-to-back…

I like to consider myself the optimist of the pair

but I have never known Lois to give in to melancholy—not even for a full day.

She doesn’t pump sunshine non-stop

but I have never known her to be depressed

or yield to discouragement without a little fight in her.

She can hit the curve ball.

She may fall but she always lands on her feet.

So after all these years we have this wonderful trait in common.

We are creative types who are blessed

with a deep well of courage in our souls,

praise be to God.