Without proper planning, over
two-thirds of your estate could be left
to your least favorite relative.

Uncle Sam.

monies a year, usually at significant
time for introspection. Mrs. Arking
increments after at least the 20th
says "talking about our lives and writ-
anniversary. But Alyssa and David
ing the vows and what was special"
Poppy of Bloomfield Hills reaffirmed
was in itself a wonderful experience.
their vows on their 10th.
Considering 40 years a great land-
Mrs. Poppy says, "Usually couples
mark, she says they renewed their
wait until their 25th or 50th, but life
wedding vows, "feeling as strongly
is too short!"
about our marriage, love and com-
The Blumbergs, however, always
mitment as the day we married."
knew they would celebrate their 50th
Conceding that her husband is "far
anniversary by renewing their wed-
more romantic than I am," the idea
ding vows. When that date
to renew their vows was his.
approached, they went to Rabbi
On the bima of Congregation Shir
Klein, assuming that the ceremony
Tikvah, the couple stood under a
would involve the
chuppa held by their
traditional wedding
two sons, David and
service, while omit-
Jonathan Jacob. The
ting references to a
ceremony, officiated
new marriage. The
by Rabbi Arnie
rabbi, however, sug-
Sleutelberg, was
gested that the
held at the end of
Blumbergs write
Friday night
their own.
Shabbat services.
Mrs. Blumberg
After Dr. Arking
created a dialogue
broke the traditional
for herself and her
wine glass, an oneg
husband. In front of
was held for the
100 guests, family
congregation,
members and
friends and family.
friends, they reaf-
Mrs. Arking
firmed their com-
attributes the
mitment to one
longevity of their
Alice and Richard Blumberg
another.
marriage to their
The ceremony, she
Jewish commitment
says, recounted a Dec. 14, 1947,
and the fact that they have always
moment when Mr. Blumberg, "with
supported one another's choices.
tears on unshaven cheeks — pure
Dr. Arking proposed to "the cutest
white," visited her in the hospital.
thing I ever saw" after she changed
She was 19, lying in bed at old
his flat tire. "I'd fallen in love with
Providence Hospital the day after "an
her anyway, and after this, I thought
18-ton oil ranker ran up on a side-
I'd better not let her get away."
walk at Dexter and Joy, hit me and
Mrs. Arking says renewing their
threw me 50 feet."
wedding vows was a way for her and
She remembers how he looked
her husband to reflect on why their
down and told her, "You see what can
marriage lasted when so many of
happen. We're getting married and
their friends have divorced. The cere-
that's that." She agreed, but then
mony was a reaffirmation that they
added, "And ask me again in 50 years."
have always been there for one anoth-
In September 1998, they celebrat-
er as sounding boards and helpmates.
ed the renewed request and its affir-
Mrs. Arking says it was very
mative response. The ceremony
unusual 40 years ago for a husband to
included blessings by the rabbi and
be at home helping while the wife
words of reaffirmation, hopes,
went to school. She says their parents
dreams, love and devotion. When
disapproved and "oodles and oodles
Richard thanked Alice for sharing 50
of women told me, `If you don't stay
years of her life with him, she
at home your husband is going to
responded, "And ask me again in 50
divorce you. ) 33
more years.
A moving renewal of wedding
For Dr. Robert and Lucy Arking of
vows ceremony on June 11 proved
Troy, their 40th anniversary was a
how wrong those others were. [7

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