Fairy tales, movies, and tragedies
By Keith Williamson Special to the Sentinel

As the beautiful bride in white walks down the aisle, the groom and minister wait at the front of the church. After exchanging words of commitment and two golden rings, the happy couple is pronounced man and wife.

A good ending to this short story is that the couple lives happily ever after. I think that only happens in fairy tales and movies. Tragedies like the ones to follow sometimes occur.

Last week a baby died locked inside a SUV (Sport Utility Vehicle) in 100 degree heat. The mother put the baby inside thinking the father was on his way to get the child. The father thought the mother was going to keep the child. The mother was a pediatrician, a doctor who specializes in the care of children. Can you imagine the pain she must feel?

Some couples, whose dream is to be parents, will not be able to have children. The loss of that dream leads to a pain of its own.

Many young couples have at least one spouse serving in the military during a time of war. An ominous dark cloud hovers over their lives until the loved one returns. Sometimes the loved one does not return.

And, while I am writing such a morbid article, I shouldn't leave out the situation I have seen so many times. An accident of some type permanently alters one of the spouses with a physical, mental, or emotional problem. Life as the couple knew it is gone in an instant.

Please note I have not included those things that people can do to themselves like lying, cheating, physical abuse, belittling, and other things. When fallen people live in a fallen world, things like this happen.

Maybe the reason weddings occur in churches goes beyond thanking God for putting two people together. Maybe it is because marriages will only last with God's help and at times even that does not seem enough.

Last week I went to a marriage and I noticed how happy the groom was as he watched his wife-to-be walk down the aisle. Hopefully, it is because he knew God would be with him no matter what happens. If that is true, he is wise beyond his years.