Marksville, LA (PRWEB) February 13, 2014
At 103 and 100 years old and 83 years of marriage, Norman and Norma Burmah have been recognized as the longest living married couple in the United States and are uniquely qualified to give advice to couples seeking longevity in their relationship. In a recent conversation with one of his granddaughters, Norman “Pa” Burmah shared his views on marriage, divorce and an array of other topics. You might be surprised at what he says.
On Being “Happily Married:”
“Where does the happily come from? Just leave the happily out, please. Just say they was (sic) married for so many years. Whoever said it had to be happily. What I’m saying is it’s been a struggle staying together all these years. It hasn’t been sugar and cream and ice cream and cake all the way. It takes time and a lot of you say and I say, give and take for people to be married for all these many years and still be together. It takes hard work. A lot of people don’t want to do it. They don’t value it.”
On Divorce and the High Divorce Rate:
“After observing so much of what I see today, it looks to me like marriage is going out of style. People just don’t care no more about marriage. Women put on their tool belts in 1941 when they went into the shipyards to help build ships because there was a shortage of men at the time because all of the men were going into the Army. The women had to do some jobs that men were doing and they realized oh, gosh we didn’t know we could do that. And now, women in combat! Women will be inside of a tank, driving a tank in war. Who would have thought that would have happened? Women found out if we’re going to do that, we don’t need a man. They can so his work they can do everything. Women do not have to depend on men no more.”
He added, “Family is valuable—A mother and a father and their children. That’s valuable.”
On the Mysteries of Life:
“We are very much involved in a wide, wide awakening of things to happen in this world.”
The Burmah's 82-year marriage began on January 26, 1931. The couple owned a private catering company and still enjoys entertaining in their home, where they live independently. After Hurricane Katrina decimated their New Orleans East neighborhood in 2005, the Burmah's moved to Marksville, La. to be near their daughter. They have two daughters (one deceased), six grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren.
To request a video clip of the conversation contact Glenda McKinley: 504-915-1552.