Star Trek, The Next Generation
This morning, I made some comment about her being sexy (as I do whenever I get the opportunity). She made some self-deprecating reply to acknowledge my intent but also to let me know I was full of horse manure. This reminded me of a Star Trek episode.
I was too young (barely), to watch the original Star Trek when it was initially broadcast on NBC. In fact, I started watching it when it was ran on PBS on Saturday night as a rerun. Star Trek, The Next Generation (TNG), was completely different. It was broadcast on Fox in the late 1980s when I would have been in my mid-twenties (with a new born child). Gene Roddenberry, the creator of both series, wanted to do a series that was more idealistic and less of a space western than the original series.
One of the Next Generation episodes involved a world with hostages where a demand was made for a retired official to negotiate their release. This official was old and wheel chair bound but agreed to be the negotiator. What no one knew is that, through his connections, he had obtained two doses (one for him and one for his wife) of an illegal drug that reversed aging. Because of the intensity of the expected negotiations, he took both doses.
As you might imagine, he started reversing in age and soon, he was a twenty something young man with an elderly wife. Unfortunately, by taking both doses, he was killing himself in a painful, irreversible manner. One of the last scenes was him referring to his wife with her hair of gold. She called him a flirter and a liar because her hair was white. As he was dying, he said that all he could see was her hair of gold.
For whatever reason, this resonates with me.
My wife and I have been together for 39 years and my mental image of my wife has gotten better each year. That is not to say we have had a perfect marriage, but I consider my wife to be my strongest ally (In fact, I’d hate to go up against her if she was protecting me or our son).
“An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life. She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands. She is like the ships of the merchant; she brings her food from afar. She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and portions for her maidens. She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard. She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong. She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night. She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle. She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy. She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet. She makes bed coverings for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple. Her husband is known in the gates when he sits among the elders of the land. She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchant. Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: “Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.” Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.” - Proverbs 31:10-31 ESV
Here is to my beautiful, young bride that I’m blessed with…
