The Al and Tipper Affair

Al and Tipper Gore have been front and center in the news of late. Al Gore, of course served as Vice President under President Bill Clinton, and then ran against George W. Bush in the 2000 presidential election. Tipper is Al's wife of 40 years. I am sure you have heard by now that after 4 decades of marriage they are going their separate ways. Unlike a number of recent political marriages which have ended due to affairs and scandals, the Gore's marriage seemed to be doing OK. So why the split? This is what the couple had to say, "We are announcing today that after a great deal of thought and discussion, we have decided to separate. This is very much a mutual and mutually supportive decision that we have made together following a process of long and careful consideration. We ask for respect for our privacy and that of our family, and we do not intend to comment further." 

Did you notice in the statement that they did not say WHY they are splitting up. All they said was that whatever the reason (and they aren't telling) it is mutual. This, of course, has left the door open for others to supply the reason. Most just seem to think that they have grown apart over the years. What they once held in common, they no longer do. Sooo ... divorce seems like the best option. But is it? What about those words of promise spoken to one another before God and the assembled witnesses? You know ... vows that go something like, "I, Al, promise to take you, Tipper, to be my lawfully wedded wife. To to have and to hold from this day forward, for better or for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish; from this day forward until death do us part or Christ our Lord shall return." 

Over 32 years ago I made such a vow to a young woman named Sharon Pietrowski. For over 32 years I have kept that vow as best as I could (with God's help) ... and I plan to keep this vow for the rest of my earthly life. How about YOU? Given much thought to the vow you made to your spouse on your wedding day? And what are you doing to live out that vow?

Thanks for stopping by . . .

pj