Marriage Gets a Bad Rap In Print

My wife Mary, in addition to her art and theater interests, is a voracious reader. So, it was no surprise when she asked me to join her last Saturday at the Bethlehem Area Public Library’s semi-monthly book sale.

It’s a cornucopia of used hard cover and paperback books at nominal prices to benefit the library’s operations. Used DVD’s and VHS movies are also available – I picked a few up for myself for a buck apiece.

I also donated two boxes full of thoroughbred racing-related books in order to relieve some basement clutter.

The well-attended sale is a great place to browse and pick up fresh reading material at affordable prices.

However, while browsing the “relationship” section, a chilling dose of reality really hit home.  Marriage and relationships take a bad rap in print.

Consider some of the tome titles I perused:

--“Your Time-Starved Marriage.”

--“Saving Your Marriage Before it Starts.”

--“Beginning Your Marriage.”

--“Oops, I Forgot My Wife.”

--“Relationship Rescue.”

--“Family First.”

--“Partnership and Compatibility.”

Some of these titles are, well, somewhat scary. Why would anyone consider getting married if the marriage is time-starved, needs saving before it starts , the relationship needs rescue or worry about compatibility?

Family first? That sounds like a no-brainer. Maybe it isn’t anymore. That’s sad.

Forget my wife? My first wife, yes.

Mary? Never.

It took me 13 years to find the correct person to spend the remainder of my life with and we've been married a little over nine months.

I’ll not allow our marriage to become time-starved or forget my wife to the point of an author needing to save it.

I believe that most people do take good care of their personal lives and that marriage gets a bad rap in print.

Just remember the old adage – don’t believe everything you read.