RELATIONSHIPS April 5, 2010 Issue

SOLID GROUND FOR OUR MARRIAGE

PHYLLIS JOY HAMMOND

I WAS STILL SINGLE. I had no dates, and there wasn't even a glimmer of male companionship on my horizon. I was in my mid 20s, and my college friends were already married and starting families. I felt incomplete, but as a Christian Scientist, I realized that I could do something about this. Had I not learned that I was a complete spiritual expression of my Father-Mother God? It was time for me to see the truth in that statement.

I began to think about the masculine qualities I thought I was lacking, such as strength, courage, and boldness. I decided to incorporate these qualities more into my thought and actions, and as a result I was led to shingle an old garage roof at my parents' home. I loved doing it, and the work gave me a great sense of accomplishment. Later, I fixed up a cottage that was in great disrepair.

I was spending my summers in Vermont with my parents, running a small tree nursery on the family property. One day my mother noted that I did not seem to have any friends or interaction with other people my age. I was honestly surprised at her comment. I loved the nursery work, and was so busy with it that this had never occurred to me. I decided to consider it spiritually.