1998 Bob Hodson Letter -March 18

March 18, 1998

Dear Harold and Jean,

Congratulations for your forthcoming 50 year celebration on April 3.  This is a great accomplishment especially by today's standards.  What is so impressive about our generation is that a high percentage of the marriages remained intact despite the dramatic social changes that followed.

Dorothy and I were married on May 25, 1946, so we speak with some degree of authority.  We weathered the sexual revolution during the '60s, the epidemic of easy divorce and a culture that is increasingly hostile to the family.  When you stood at the altar and agreed to love one another "till death do you part," that is precisely what you meant.  Our generation has been referred to as the "stick-to-it" generation, quite in contrast compared to today's newlyweds who are likely to stay married for only 7.2 years.

Sometimes it is easy and at other times more difficult to reflect on 1948.  Do you remember that milk cost .70 for a gallon, bread was .10, a gallon gas was .16 and a new auto cost only $1,400.  Popular songs included Prisoner of Love by Perry Como, I'm a Big Girl Now by Sammy Kay, Five Minutes More by Frank Sinatra and Old Buttermilk Sky by Kay Kyser.

There has been a lot of change over the years, but the Lord has blessed each of our marriages with children and grandchildren.  I often wonder what life would be without them.  God is Good . . all the time!

Each time we go through New Vienna, pass the office and Wells Manufacturing we think of you.  We have always appreciated our friendship, starting back in 1958 when we moved to New Vienna.  The wonderful gift of memory is special and it often brings smiles of appreciation of earlier days.

CONGRATULATIONS AND BEST WISHES not only on April 3, but also for each day as you continue your journey of life and walk of faith.

With Warm Regards,

Bob & Dorothy