Last night Patty and saw the extraordinary movie, “Away From Her.” The big stars are Julie Christie and Olympia Dukakis. We saw the movie at the Kimball Theater, which means it will soon be out on DVD, if it isn’t already! (The movie is based on the equally extraordinary short story by Alice Munro, “The Bear Came Over The Mountain.” It’s in her 2001 collection, Hateship, Friendship, Courtship, Loveship, Marriage.)

The story is about a husband and wife coping with the wife’s advancing Alzheimer’s disease. They have been married for 44 years, and there are references to their marriage which has had its rocky periods, but which has endured and is enduring. Based on my nearly three decades of experience as a pastor, I can say that the movie tells the truth in a deep and profound way.

On our way back to the car, Patty said, “What a sad movie!” And it certainly was. But it evoked many other thoughts in us. We’ve been married for 31 years, and the years have just flashed past. And, of course, I nearly did not make it to 31 years, with my health crisis of this past fall. And who knows how many more years we will be given?

This is not to be morbid or fatalistic. It is to remember, once again, that each day of health is a precious gift from God. We must not take a single day for granted. Instead, as a spiritual practice, rise each morning giving thanks to God for the gift of this day.