The Rock

My Grandparents on their Anniversary

Rock And Stone

This is a story of a rock and a stone

And a stream, and a rainfall, and not being alone.

In the land of this tale, in a mountain's shadow

Was a stream brisk and bending the swift water's flow.

On the bank of the stream, just beyond a great birch,

Was a rock, strong and sturdy, holding back clay and dirt.

Just below with the edge of the stream as its home,

Was a glimmering beauty, a shiny smooth stone.

To the rock, with its pride of supporting the earth,

A stone was not useful: it was without worth. 

To the stone, with its beauty and lustering glory,

A rock was not pleasing and belonged in a quarry.

Yet the fear of the rock and the stone were the same.

Each dreaded the future, the day of great rain.

The rock might be dislodged and roll to stream's bottom.

The stone might be pushed into mud and forgotten. 

The rainfall came quickly, as sometimes storms will,

The rock was dislodged, it rolled down the hill.

Stopping not under water, and without one moan

The rock came to rest upon the fine stone.

Stream became river; though waters enraged

The stone was not pushed to a dark muddy grave.

The rock safe yet wetted, the dirt now sprayed loose,

Still formed the bank, still had a use.

 

As sunshine returned the river to stream

Rock and stone together were seen.

Savior each was, and after that fright

Each saw the other in a new light.

The rock saw the stone as a rock ever more,

With beauty and strength supporting the shore.

The stone saw the rock as a stone from that day,

With strength and beauty under robe of clay.

Together they stayed, more shiny and strong

Than either had been by itself all along.

The story is told; the message you see

Is that you and I will be better as we.

I am unsure of who actually wrote this marriage poem, but I simply adore it.  It was read in my wedding and having recently celebrated my grandparents' 57th Wedding Anniversary, I thought it would be the perfect poem for them. 

Recently, they got a huge rock in their front yard to replace the gigantic space that was a result of 3 or 4 huge evergreens being cut down.  This rock is in the front middle of their yard and will display their address on a plaque that has yet to be mounted. 

Now, this just couldn't be any old rock.  According to my grandmother, it had to be a special rock that would fill this precious spot in her yard.  She was really looking forward to having a portion of a large marble rock that was on her parents' property in Canby, MN.  Unfortunately, that rock got destroyed when the house was torn down this past year.  So, her and my grandpa went on a search for the perfect rock.

After a few inquiries and could Be's...they found the perfect rock.  It was dug out of a hole that was 60 feet deep.  The rock weighs an incredible amount(that she told me but I am blanking on) and was placed perfectly on their lawn by a large truck who didn't even need to drive on their perfectly manicured lawn.

There are some very interesting markings on the rock.  There are veins in the rock that form a cross on the top of the rock.  Another part of the rock resembles a heart(the anatomically correct version) and after it rains, this part of the rock actually "bleeds."  The last part of the rock that is worth mentioning is a deep groove that goes down one side and it is what my Grandmother calls the spine.  It is all very unique and interesting and holds great meaning and importance to my Grandma.

This rock is an incredible symbol for who my Grandmother is.  She is the rock.  She is the person in our family who holds everyone together with her love(heart), her strong backbone(spine) and her unwavering faith in the Lord(cross).  An objects importance is the meaning that you place upon it.  My Grandma has found this rock to be so special and I truly believe that what she has seen in this rock is a true reflection of who she is.

I am so proud to have Grandparents who have been married for 57 years and who still adore each other.  They are the perfect example of love and respect and I am so blessed to have such a devoted couple to look up to.

Happy Anniversary Grandma & Grandpa.  We all love you so much!