Dear Jo and Jim,
You seemed to me to have the best possible marriage. They worked together to raise you and Laura (really well, I might add). Each was supported in his or her education and career. Both were loving children who supported their own parents when help was required. And most of all they love and care for each other.
They have survived accidents and serious illnesses–Joanne, Merkle’s diverticulosis (sp?) and lymphoma; Jim, his shattered shoulder, dengue (sp?) fever, and lymphoma. They are both fortunate to still be alive to celebrate 50 years of marriage, but I think it has been their care for each other, positive outlooks, good medical care, and their faith that has helped them through their trying times.
We have been treated to such warm and generous hospitality on our visits with Jo and Jim. There have been memorable meals cooked by Joanne, bridge and golf games (and it’s amazing that Jim would even golf with us) , but most importantly just being with those we love.
Jo has given me so much in my life–support in times of grief, hundreds of book ideas, some of my favorite recipes, a birthday card every year, letters, phone calls, emails, and a box of thoughtful Christmas gifts each year. Al said that close to fifty years ago, Jo told him to stop using sugar in his coffee–and he did and this has saved him from thousands of pounds of sugar consumption!
How both Jo and Jim love their grandchildren and their role as grandparents. They have kept me up to date with photos to adorn my kitchen wall of photos.
Also how much both Jo and Jim have given back to the community. Just to mention a few, Jim as a tutor to the elementary school boy and as a strong supporter (with his time) to the Democratic Party; Jo volunteering at church, thrift shop, library and being instrumental in establishing a program offering interesting classes for seniors. I know there are more volunteer roles for each of them.
We wish we could be with you all on November 27 to celebrate Thanksgiving and Jo and Jim’s 50 years of marriage. We will be thinking of you on that day and sending you all much love.
Allie and Al Turnock (Mom’s sister and husband)
Dear Joanne and Jim,
Happy Anniversary on this your 50th year of marriage. You have been dearly and lovingly committed to each other for the past 50 years. You have been an inspiration to Ed and Cathy and to all your family and friends for your steadfastness through sickness and good health. You have also been a role model for your children as shown by your good works in church and community. We wish you many more happy years! Love and best wishes,
Cathy and Ed Cissel (Mom’s brother and wife)
The world would be a much much better place if all parents were half as good yours. You could not ask for a better sister than Joanne. She was always so sweet and caring to the rest of us. Jim had to be tough to put up with the likes of Ed and me. The family reunions were always fun. Darby and I look forward to the Jan. lunch/dinner with Joanne,Jim,Ed and Cathy and then back to our house for dessert and more fellowship. I am sure they enjoyed their 50th with you all. Jim and Joanne were always there for each other. They go together like biscuits and gravy.(a little homespun Texas humor)
Teeter Cissel (Mom’s brother)
Jim and Jo — Newlyweds of 50 years,
I remember your wedding day — as Mom would often tell the story, it was the first day I was allowed to wear pantyhose. On this Thanksgiving Day and your anniversary, let us reflect and be thankful for two other couples that proudly shared your wedding day and impacted your lifetime journey, many years prior to the actual event. (Mom and Dad and Mr. and Mrs. Cissel). Parents of faith that set the tone and instilled with you many of life’s greatest attributes — to include love, faith, honesty, integrity, laughter and faithfulness.
As you celebrate your 50th wedding anniversary and look back on the time spent together, certainly many sweet memories have been created over the years and it probably seems impossible you are celebrating your 50th, because when you were young, you thought a 50th anniversary was for ‘old’ people. (Yikes.) You certainly aren’t old — but older and wiser.
As you look back on the years you have shared together, you should especially be proud of the legacy you have in Jeff and Laura — both happily married, and continuing to pass on these attributes to the next generation as they, too, create their lifetime journey with their family.
May you enjoy many more years of love and happiness, counting your blessings, and cherishing each and every day as you celebrate ‘the bride and groom of 50 years’—and counting. CONGRATULATIONS! Love and blessings,
Ray and Joyce (Father’s sister and husband)
Hello Jeff,
I have had your message in the back of my mind since receiving your email and have been mulling over my memories of Aunt Joanne and Uncle Jim. I guess as with all families, it is not necessarily specific events that come to mind, but maybe a general feeling, a feeling of comfort and ease, a of continuity, of always being there, that I feel. Really, I remember so many summertime gatherings and family Thanksgivings where our whole family got together–at Grandma and Granddad Cissel’s, at our home in Vienna, and at your all’s home in Salisbury.
I loved going to your house in the summer & for Thanksgiving, & I always loved talking with your Mom and Dad. Both of them were always genuinely interested in what was going on in my life. When I was little, I remember that your Dad once made me a wooden toy–you toss the wooden ball on the string and try to catch it in a cup–I remember being amazed that your Dad could make such a thing. I still have that little toy. I also still have my Merriam Webster’s dictionary that your Mom got me for my high school graduation as I set off for college. Really, it is one of my favorite books!
As I have had children, I have always appreciated that your parents have made the effort to come and see us when they can. Aunt Joanne and Uncle Jim were Chris’ and my first visitors from the U.S. when Katherine was born, and it meant so much to me to have them come and see us!
I guess, really, that I have your parents in mind as I move through my life–how to be a good aunt to my nieces and nephews….ask them questions, be interested in what they are doing, listen to what they have to say, and just go and see them, like your parents have done for me. I guess I also watch your parents as they move through their lives—both of them are active in their community and mentally and physically active. From my perspective, they have dealt gracefully with struggles with their health–they inform themselves and meet challenges head on. They are good role models.
So, thanks for your message, Jeff. It has been a good opportunity for me, too, to reflect a little, and remember, as we approach Thanksgiving Day. It is easy to get caught up in our daily lives. This has given me an opportunity to remember and appreciate the things I am thankful for. I’ll be thinking of you and your whole family–our whole family!–on Thanksgiving. I wish I could be there.
(P.S. I am a big weeper, like Granddad Cissel. I know he could cry at pretty much everything. My dad is a pretty good crier, and now I am, and I think I’ve passed it on to my son Alex! So, I have had a nice little cry as I have been remembering!) Look after yourself. Love,
Anne Creighton (Niece)
Dear Aunt Joanne and Uncle Jim,
Happy 50th Anniversary! I have been reflecting upon what it means to have shared half a century of life together. The world has changed tremendously in the past fifty years, and I’m sure that you both have, as well. And yet, through these changes, through times of joy and, more recently, times of suffering, you have forged a common path. You seem to have continually rediscovered strength in one another, in your union. I, and all those who know you, are touched by your commitment to each other and to those you love, especially your children and grandchildren! May you share many more years of love, happiness, and adventure!
Karen Cissel (Niece)
Dear Uncle Jim and Aunt Joanne,
Congratulations on your 50th Wedding Anniversary! You are a special couple, and I admire your adventurous spirit, love for family, and sense of humor. I have so many fond memories of family gatherings with you over the years, from the beach to the mountains and especially around your wood stove at Thanksgiving. My memories of our family gatherings are a big part how I remember the holidays. You both have shown such strength and resilience. We all really enjoyed seeing you at Liz and Jeri’s wedding in July. I’m grateful that Nate has gotten to know you. The next time you see Andy, he just might be crawling around. Right now, he’s just started rolling. So, here’s a big “Thank you” for being you! We wish you many more years of health and happiness together. Love,
Scott, Anne, Nate, and Andy Cissel (Nephew and family)
My memories of Uncle Jim and Aunt Joanne mostly consisted of summer visits at Pop-pop and Mom-mom’s where the cousins ran off to play and spend time together! I do however remember your parents always seemed happy and excited to be sharing time with family. Listening to updates on you and Laura, they always seemed very involved, close, and proud of their children’s milestones and accomplishments! They always stayed in touch with Mom-mom and Pop-pop and they would always tell us when we visited. I remember visits to Salisbury and a few thanksgiving gatherings at your parents lovely home where we were always welcomed as family to a home full of laughter and chaos but clearly most of all love! Not growing up in a sports family, I remember hearing from anywhere in the house your dad routing for his favorite team at game time. Family game time was always fun with lots of laughs!! Your parents are very kind and loving couple that I wish for many more years of shared memories, time shared with children and grandchildren and most of all happiness!!
Shannon Makovsky (niece)
Uncle Jim and Aunt Joanne,
Kevin and I have been married for 14 blessed years. My life is what it is today because we were put back into each other’s life and decided that we wanted to spend every second of our life together. Kevin is truly my soul mate. I always try to live in the moment and try not to think about how short life can be. There will never be enough time with him and our children. My greatest accomplishment will always be our children.
The reason I bring up our family so much is because the quality of our marriage, directly relates to our children. I see the way our children look up to us and the kind words they share and the love that they give to us both, it is beyond amazing. That in itself makes the bond Kevin and I share, powerful and unbreakable. I am thankful that God has given me the opportunity to be a wife and mother. The two best “roles” in the world.
To Uncle Jim and Aunt Joanne, Congratulations on your 50th wedding anniversary! What a beautiful and joyous time to celebrate. You have raised two pretty amazing children, who have turned around and built wonderful families of their own. Which started from the nurturing foundation that you fostered in your own family. You have both been through many ups and downs and are truly an inspiration. Not only is your marriage inspiring, but you both inspire me as individuals, as well.
Aunt Joanne and Uncle Jim, you are kind, caring, intelligent and strong willed. I always knew a laugh would be shared when we came to your home for Thanksgiving and your relationship makes me smile, just thinking of you two. Congratulations on 50 years of marriage. May you be blessed with many years to come. Love,
Julie Cissel Pfeiffer (Niece)
Uncle Jim and Aunt Joanne,
I grew up watching, learning from, and being cared for by both of you. I played at your house as you and my parents played Bridge. I slept over all the time (when Jeff wasn’t sleeping over with us), played baseball and other games in your den, backyard, and across the street at Pinehurst. You both took the time to explain things to us as children, and it was clear from the choices you made then that you considered your children one of your greatest gifts and responsibilities – I benefited from that.
I remember small, framed, pictures over your kitchen table, weekly checkouts from the library that Jeff and Laura got to choose. These were a small example of how you valued their education on those things out there in the world, and of how you valued their having a choice and a voice in what went on in their lives.
I got to watch you gently tease each other about your lives together. I saw then, and continue to see these days, how much you treasure time with each other, with your family, and with friends as well. Lots of pictures and slides are part of the proof that you enjoy being together and do not take for granted that time you have with each other. This example of taking care of your marriage has been valuable to me.
Congratulations as you celebrate 50 years together! May the years to come be the sweetest ones yet!
Matt Doyle (Nephew)
Dear Aunt Joanne and Uncle Jim,
Although 50 years have passed since you stood before your families and our God to vow your commitment to each other, the strength of your bond has grown stronger with each passing day. Over this time together you have served as dedicated partners, parents, grandparents, brother and sister, and aunt and uncle.
While growing up, I always looked forward to our times together. I fondly remember the Christmas parties at your house and the wood stove. I remember the hours we spent looking through the slides of Christmases past and the laughs we would share.
As I have grown older, I am fortunate to realize that I have been exposed to some of the greatest examples of love and commitment. I admire you both for serving as one of these examples for me. You can see the impact of this love and commitment in the 2 children you raised and who have found their loves and created their own families.
Uncle Jim and Aunt Joann, I wish you all of my congratulations on your 50th wedding anniversary and I hope for you many more anniversaries to come! With much love,
Kevin Doyle (Nephew)
Uncle Jim and Aunt Jo,
Congratulations on your big anniversary! Wow, 50 years, what an accomplishment! Warren and I are learning that marriage is tough and we’re only 6 years in it! God is good and gives grace daily as I’m sure you have experienced on your 50 years together. I’m sad we can’t see you more often in person and catch up face to face but I love remembering all the times I got to spend with you when I was younger. Going to Aunt Jo’s and Uncle Jim’s was always fun for me. I loved spending time with you two and getting to see Jeff and Laura was always entertaining! Especially when Jeff would eat random things and Laura would teach me her cheers. I am thrilled to be able to wish you a Happy Anniversary and wish you many more happy years together and with the amazing children and grandchildren you have. Keep enjoying each other and your sweet family! Love you both so much!
Kelly Graham (and Warren and Catherine too!) (Niece and family)
Your parents r great people they deserve all the happiness in the world. I remember all the Christmas parties at their house. It was nice. I sure do miss those times. Your dad has always been fair. I hope u all have a great thanksgiving and I hope u r all doing well.
Lee Doyle (Nephew)
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