Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad

Today, December 15th is my parents wedding anniversary.  They would have celebrated their 57th anniversary.  Mom was 20 years old when she got married to dad, who was 26 at the time.  Both, having lived difficult lives up until they were married, promised each other in their vows that they would be together from that point forward.

Coming from humble, truth be told, very poor beginnings and moving to a new land to pursue a better life, Mom and Dad did everything they could to live the life they could. To work hard and make sure they could provide for their family.  To be an example of husband and wife that would enable us to learn the true meaning of love.

Growing up, mom and dad never really made a big deal of their anniversary such as go out to dinner like most couples do, except for Dad's last minute "splurge" on Chinese food, but he would bring her flowers on his way back from work, which mom loved and appreciated.  Carnations were her favorite and he made sure the bouquet had some.  That was the extent of their celebration.  That said, there was no doubt in our minds that they loved and were committed to each other.

Both found their soul partner in each other.  Someone that would be there in good times and in bad.  They took satisfaction, that their marriage meant so much to us.  That we understood the simplicity of their marriage but the genuine strength and love they had for each other.  Their love was a testament of their faith in God and appreciation for the life they had and all of the blessings that they were given.  Primarily, their family.  Their 4 children and spouses, 11 grandchildren some of which having spouses of their own, and their 4 great grandchildren.  Their life was complete in their eyes, and in ours.

Growing up, Mom was the caregiver and Dad was the provider.  As Mom got progressively worse with her disease, their roles reversed.  Dad's only worry was to make sure that Mom was taken care of.  That she was comfortable, fed, bathed, properly taken care of, especially with how we would tuck her in her bed, but their faith never wandered.



Even when we knew that it was beyond the point that mom should be going to Church, dad continued to insist that we do so and mom was eager to go there until the job of getting her ready, the stress of the drive and her inability to walk or sit in the pews were too much for her.


Their love was visible for all to see, in how they looked at and were with each other.  There was no doubt in anybody's mind.

Dad predeceased mom by 13 months and for their last few years together, Mom did not know who he was, nor was she able to really appreciate the fact that it was their anniversary and that he was her soulmate.  But while they were both around, and able to, they fulfilled their commitment to love and to hold, in sickness and in health, til' death do they part.

This anniversary, their first since Mom joined Dad, we are saddened by the lack of their presence, but with tears flowing of joy that the two of them are back together again.

We love you.