A Milestone

By G. E. Shuman

　
Today I checked Wikipedia, for the definition of the word ‘milestone’. I did this for a reason, which you will soon be aware of, if you have the patience and perseverance to make it through this column. According to Wikipedia: “A milestone is one of a series of numbered markers placed along a road or boundary at intervals of one mile or occasionally, parts of a mile.” They wrote that entire sentence using only one comma. This is partially the reason why I don’t entirely trust Wikipedia. To continue: “They are typically located at the side of the road or in a median. They are alternatively known as mile markers mileposts or mile posts. Mileage is the distance along the road from a fixed commencement point. Milestones are constructed to provide reference points along the road. This can be used to reassure travelers that the proper path is being followed and to indicate either distance traveled or the remaining distance to a destination. …This term is sometimes used to denote a location on a road even if no physical sign is present.”
Okay, from this point on the words are mine, and you might see a comma once in a while. The reason I checked for the definition of the word ‘milestone’ in the first place is because someone told me that a date my wife and I will soon celebrate is a milestone, and I wanted to be sure they were right, and how much we should be celebrating. My guess is that they were right. You see, Friday, August 17^th is the fortieth anniversary of the day Lorna succumbed to my irresistible charms, and married me. Well, one of us succumbed. After forty years it’s hard to remember which.
It is interesting, to me, how a big anniversary like this one just sneaks up on a couple when all they are doing is going about their daily lives. Time flies when you’re trying to survive, I guess. It’s also interesting, to me, how the Wikipedia definition of milestone really does describe an anniversary. As mentioned, the definition contains the idea of “a series of numbered markers.” The number on this milestone, for us, happens to be 40. And, “located at the side of the road” depicts how things like anniversaries are observed. They are celebrated as they pass by. The mile they represent all too soon fades into the past; into the distance. Next, the definition mentions: “the distance along the road from a fixed commencement point.” I will say that forty years is a fair distance from the fixed commencement point of that young lady and I beginning our lives together. She is fortunate that I have not changed a bit since that day. At least, if I close my eyes and never approach a mirror or bathroom scale I feel like I have not changed a bit. More words to describe ‘milestone’ were “to indicate either distance traveled or the remaining distance to a destination” and, later, “to denote a location on a road even if no physical sign is present.” Oh yes, our big milestone certainly indicates distance traveled. It also, at least vaguely, indicates the remaining distance to a destination. In this, we travelers realize that the trip is very likely, almost certainly, more than half over. Our destination together grows closer every day. There is some level of peace in this, and it is okay. “Even if no physical sign is present?” Well, there probably are a few physical signs to mark this spot in the road Lorna and I are traveling. Time is something that can be measured, but not seen, other than in its effects. My good fortune is that time’s effect on my wife is one of constantly-maturing beauty, and of ever-increasing faith in God and love for her family.
You may have noticed that I skipped over one Wikipedia quote. I did this intentionally, in the lazy writer’s method of saving something for last. In defining a milestone, it was said that “This can be used to reassure travelers that the proper path is being followed.” Let’s see. For the past forty years my wife has endured a moody, often sickly husband who has not hesitated to unload family and workplace burdens on her. She has, every one of those years, somehow, skillfully kept our family’s leaky financial ship afloat, and has been a steady force of Godly discipline for all five of our children. Amazingly and incredibly, she still loves me. For this traveler there is no question that “the proper path is being followed.” Lorna, if we had it to do over, I would not change a thing. Happy Anniversary!