Castles, masterpieces of art in painting, music, fountains, and cathedrals come to mind as examples. Contrary to these objects, many would say that love is the only thing that truly lasts. So if we combine LOVE and an Object of permanence, there's nothing more obvious than the Taj Mahal in India.
As I understand my history, Prince Khurram was inconsolable after losing his love, Arjumand Bano Begum in childbirth. He decided to erect the finest memorial ever seen. He selected only the most beautiful marble, found the perfect bend in the river for a lasting memorial to his beloved. It continues to inspire poets, musicians and young lovers today.
Well, that was nearly 400 years ago and I've never been to the Taj Mahal. Hopefully I will make it to India. However, I have been blessed to witness a love similar to the love that inspired the Taj Mahal into being.
Edwina and Pete Goebel were as opposite as two people could be on the outside. Edwina was the laugh out, heart on your shirtsleeve, award winning school teacher and Pete was the quiet but gifted and intelligent architect/contractor. Their love was tangible even after 20+ years of marriage. I met them in a Sunday School class in Mint Hill, NC as Edwina was the Sunday School teacher. Her authentic, funny, emotive style of teach drew many to her and to the class. Pete sat in the back but his love was apparent. His support never ending despite her zany antics. Pete loved Edwina with all his heart.
To the degree that an architect could build his school teacher wife a monument to love in the 20th century, Pete did it all and he did all right. Pete and Edwina invited the This n That Sunday School class to an old-fashioned oyster bake at their home in the fall of 2003. We attended along with about 35 others. What we found at the end of the long, narrow dirt road in Midland, NC was breathtaking.
The home of Pete and Edwina Goebel was nothing short of a masterpiece worthy of Southern Living magazine or even Architect's Digest. At first, all you could notice on the stunning, white country farmhouse was the wrap around front porch plus the 3 car garage and the gazebo off the left.
We had no idea what awaited us inside. But we were in love and understood the depths of their love once the doors opened. An arched ceiling with delicate, 2 inch wide wood covered the ceiling. Each room included a fireplace with the spectacular wood trim and hardwood floors throughout. Family photos of a younger Pete and Edwina with their tow-haired sons dotted the hallways. Room after room was hand-crafted with a story to tell. It took Pete over 3 years to build the house while he and Edwina and their young sons lived in a guest house also on the property. The house was the talk of the class but the unspoken lay in the love that they shared for one another, their family and thankfully for us, their Sunday School Class. The oysters, their hospitality, the fellowship and the quality of the evening has yet to be matched. In that moment, life was perfect. No one knew that Edwina would face a battle that she would eventually lose in 2009.
Her battle against cancer was lost at age 62. When I learned that Edwina had left us, all I could do was relive the "Oyster Bake Evening". I attended Edwina's visitation in June and it was clear that she had lived a life of love, teaching, caring, parenting, giving, sharing and inspiration.
Her family was touched by the many in the visitation line who gave many accounts of touching moments from Edwina's touch. However, most remembered that night at their home. Everyone in the family soon realized at that moment that the "Oyster Bake Night" had given us all a glimpse of pure love.
And while I've never been to the Taj Mahal, I've seen the house that love built.
Thank you Pete and Edwina for the gift of you, for the gift of true love, dedication and for the gift of your Taj Mahal. We do and will always miss you.
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