The Couple from Breelong

This is a story of a couple
that have loved despite the struggle,
working hard to earn a living
all the while they keep on giving,
from farming on the western plains
where often they would long for rains
to the postal service that was bittersweet,
through long hard battles, they were not beat;
This couple from Breelong
that I've known for so long.

They have been together through thick and thin
living as one in grace, freed from their sin,
displaying God's love in practical ways
not wasting time through the longest of days,
from helping neighbors through their times of need
where expectations of service they exceed
to taking time to visit and to listen,
writing old stories that need to be written;
This couple from Breelong
that have cared for so long.

Adventures of beauty they have travelled together
joy discovered in their union, no matter the weather,
selling anything and everything they could gather
long days spent together, what they sold, it did not matter,
from Hobytex, to Amway, to some strange animal
maybe something for the garden or something edible
from young chickens, to books written with great heart
photos and calendars, and that's just the start;
This couple from Breelong
that have journeyed for so long.

Two characters that are really quite different
brought together in marriage, love magnificent,
one is bubbly and outgoing
both willing to work without slowing,
one is quiet and reserved
both were humble while they served,
one of them has the brightest hair
the other asleep now in a chair;
This couple from Breelong
that have connected for so long.

When my father passed away, they were there
assisting us when life was hard to bear,
advice given with a special care
they were an answer to my prayer,
loving God with all their hearts
their lives given in all parts,
family are special in their sight
colors of God's beauty shine bright;
This couple from Breelong
that have loved for so long.

Matthew 19:6 So they are no longer two but one flesh. What therefore God has joined together, let not man separate."

Note: This poem was written about John & Cheryl Mudford for their 50th Wedding Anniversary (John is my cousin). Breelong is the name of the district where they lived and started their marriage journey and also the name of the farming property, they owned at one time. They have been historians and writers, farmers, agronomists, post office owners, sellers of many different items, to name just a few; but what defines them most is their faithful service to our Lord!