Father Goyo Hidalgo, pastor of St. Rose of Lima parish in Los Angeles, recently posted on social media about an 89-year-old man named Frank. Married for 64 years, Frank is in great physical shape and is unshakeably devoted to his wife. He says that walking and praying have been key to maintaining health and happiness for him, as well as for his marriage.
“When we got married we promised each other that whoever is wrong in an argument will walk an hour around the block. I have walked a lot. You can say we have a happy marriage.”
Frank continued his explanation, as reported by Fr. Goyo:
“I walked a lot, Father. Believe me — hehe. Then my wife started walking with me, you know, to be together. So after a while we just started to walk together and pray in the mornings, and then we just skipped arguing altogether.”
It sounds like a simple thing, but it’s actually quite profound: the practice of humility by the husband — recognizing he was wrong and taking a walk — was met with love and forgiveness by his wife, who accompanied him on his walks (and surely vice versa when the wife was wrong). This led to time spent together, and conversation with each other and with God. Naturally, their relationship became stronger.
Humility, forgiveness, communication, shared exercise, and prayer: what better recipe could there be for a healthy marriage?
Frank is 89. His wife 87. Married for 64 years. Frank is in amazing shape. I asked his secret.
— Fr. Goyo (@FrGoyo) October 6, 2018
“When we got married, we promised each other that whoever is wrong in an argument will walk an hour around the block. I have walked a lot. You can say we have a healthy marriage.”
2nd part:
— Fr. Goyo (@FrGoyo) October 7, 2018
Frank added,
“I walked a lot Father. Believe me hehe. Then my wife started walking with me, you know, to be together. So after a while we just decided to walk together and pray in the mornings, and then we just skipped arguing altogether.”#MarriageGoalshttps://t.co/YDz6tJo5rJ
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And today we celebrate...