This topic is about a couple reflecting on their 55 years of marriage, the experiences they've shared, and how they've navigated life's ups and downs, including living with an ileostomy. They were married in 1968, a time of significant historical events, and they share insights on maintaining a strong relationship and a positive outlook despite challenges.

Here are some pieces of advice and insights they offer:

1. Staying calm and level-headed can help reduce anxiety and improve understanding in relationships and interactions with others.

2. Long-term marriages thrive when both partners continue to learn and grow together. Symbols like emeralds, representing rebirth, and calla lilies, symbolizing devotion, beautifully capture this idea.

3. Shared memories, mutual support through changing times, and a willingness to adapt to each other’s evolving selves are essential for sustaining a relationship over decades.

4. Holding onto humor and focusing on the small joys of everyday life can help counterbalance societal negativity and personal challenges.