Wish Elder and Sister Holland a HAPPY ANNIVERSARY! 🎂

In the final steps of creation, our Heavenly Father said, “It is not good that the man should be alone; I will make him an help meet for him.” Then, with the imagery of a rib taken out of Adam’s side—“bone of [his] bone, and flesh of [his] flesh” would describe their unity—He created a woman whom Adam named Eve, “because she was the mother of all living.” (See Genesis chapters 1–3.)
I wouldn’t presume to know all that was happening that day in the formation of a woman and the unfolding of the plan of salvation. What I do know is that same Heavenly Father looked down on Jeff Holland and knew profoundly that I needed a “help” (or “helper”) that was “meet” (or “right”) for me. So He created Patricia Terry and gave her to me, more than a “helper” and more than “right.” She would, in fact, be the “mother of all living” in our little world of the Holland home, but she would also become life itself to me—my life, my help, my hope, my everything. As with Eve, my Patricia would be the final creation, the ultimate statement, the pinnacle of my life’s purpose. Surely God looked upon her and saw not that “it” but rather “she” was “very good.”
Pat and I are celebrating our 58th wedding anniversary today. Nothing in this world (or out of this world) means more to me than to know that I can have 58 more with her, then 5,800 more, then 58,000 after that. I couldn’t imagine life in time or eternity without her. For more than half a century, she has been “the mother of all living” in my world, my reason to keep living, to keep trying, to keep growing. She has given life and growth to all whom she has met and served in her Church and community, to say nothing of the teaching and shaping she has given to our children, Matthew, Mary Alice, and David. They are also “very good,” and she is the author of their faith.
To say that June 7 is a celebration at our house is an understatement. If you promise not to misunderstand, I will say it’s more like a worship service and a special Thanksgiving combined. I am eternally grateful for the “helper” that God knew was “right” for me. Pat, happy anniversary!