Synopsis "Sonnets for Annette: Forty-five Gracious and Loving Years Together! (in English)"
On December 21, 1974 Annette Sigrid Eastergard was married to John Roger Wilson at Bethel Baptist Church in Harlan, Iowa. As the very fortunate and blessed groom, I now get to reminisce a bit about our wonderful life together from the time I first saw her until this very hour. Annette entered my life when I was doing my student teaching at Bob Jones University in 1973. She happened to be the hostess at the table I selected for an evening meal at the university. Her smile was the beginning of everything for me. After several dates, I traveled to her home over Christmas break. It was December 21, 1973 that our engagement began. I knew that the Lord had put Her in my life and over the next year, while she was finishing her degree and I was at my first Christian day school position, my spare time was spent writing the music for our wedding. She was truly the inspiration for my life from that time on. The processional I created included a trumpet fanfare played by the groom himself and James 1:17 set to music. Annette is my "good and perfect gift" from God, as the verse suggests.We have walked hand in hand through this life beside our Savior, the Lord Jesus Christ, and though we all suffer at one point or another, He has granted us true happiness in our relationship. I am amazed when I consider the numerous talents The Lord has blessed my beautiful wife with. She has consistently turned every problem over to Him and has been one that many have looked up to as a great example of how we all should live our Christian lives. Sonnets for Annette is one of my small tributes to such a great woman. She inspires me daily and never ceases to amaze. Hopefully the poems will show some of her amazing characteristics.Yes, it has been 45 years since we said "I do" and I want this little booklet to be a memorial to my wonderful, loving wife, Annette.Just for the record, Sonnet 1 of Sonnets for Annette was set to music by David M Gardner, composer in residence for The Omaha Symphony Orchestra, Omaha Nebraska, and is available at satbpiano.com. Thank you D. M. Gardner for your very sensitive treatment of my verse! And thank you, Annette, for putting up with me for these past 45 years!
