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What Makes a Good Relationship

By Albert Garih

My wife and I have been living together for more than half a century, 54 years to be precise. I would not say that the sky has always been blue, or without clouds, or we have always been living in perfect harmony, but we are still together after all these years, and that is some accomplishment. 

How did we do this? Let’s see. First, she has her own beliefs and I have mine, but as much as I try not to stand against hers, she does not try to impose hers on me. We have essentially the same values, and we don’t trample each other’s personal principles; in fact, we share them, even with some differences. We respect each other, and we love each other. It’s not like the first day, but now is with wisdom. We know each other better, more deeply than ever before, and we understand and support each other. She shows her concern about my health and is the one who pushes me to go to the doctor when I don’t feel the urge to do so. Now when I am sometimes neglectful about my health obligations, she makes sure that I don’t forget my doctor’s appointments. 

About our three daughters, we also have had our disagreements, but since my wife and I share the same values, sometimes we are united against them, about ideas or political opinions. We feel the clash of two generations. In my own life, having been through what I experienced, sometimes I feel misunderstood by my children about my positions on some issues. I don’t have that problem with my wife. We stand together, and that helps.

Today, with our daughters, 11 grandchildren, and even one great-grandchild, we have been able to share our lives together all these years.

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