Publisher of Genevieve Magazine, Betty Irabor, who has been married to
her husband, Soni Irabor for 34 years, took Facebook page to advise
women to take their marriage vows seriously. According to her. What she
wrote below
"What's in a vow?
Two weeks ago, I had arthroscopy and as always, my hubby was by my side;
just as he was always there through out my ante-natal days and two
deliveries. Ask him what hour my children were born and he would give
you the minute by minute details.
He would have been in the theater for the arthroscopy
if he was allowed. Before I was wheeled in, we goofed around and took
pictures. He made me laugh so much that all anxiety vanished. As I
momentarily looked back on the day Soni and I exchanged vows "to love
each other for better for worse, in sickness and in health" I realised
that many couples have no idea of the weight of those vows until one of
the two partners faces some physical, mental, financial and emotional
setback. And then that moment when it dawns on you that your marriage
was founded on convenience. In sickness and in health!? What does that
even mean? I know of a man who moved into the guest room the moment his
wife was diagnosed with cancer leaving her to travel that bleak journey
alone. I know of women whose husbands cannot even be reached when their
wives go into labour...I know of women who bail out of their marriages
because their husband's biz took a nose dive..."for better for worse?"
Right?
As I was wheeled back into my room, there he was... His face a mix of
anxiety and an assuring smile!!
Like most young ladies, I was starry eyed when I took my vows, they were
just vows; I was getting married and hoped to live happily ever after.
The truth is, those vows are not some nursery rhymes you repeat after
the priest or pastors,they are sacred! Your marriage will depend on
them! Don't utter them unless you're ready to live true to them. Taking
those vows in front of 500 applauding guests is not the same as renewing
them everyday in front of that one person to whom the vow was uttered.
Life happens. We can't avoid that. But give your marriage the best shot.
Don't give up on each other too soon. Don't forget those vows. Hold
them dear to your heart.
In all of our journey together Soni and I have found ourselves under the
umbrella of His grace! Our latter years shine even more than the
former. We bless God!
