Sixty and beyond

Point of view

- By DOROTHY DELGADO NOVICIO

My parents recently celebrated their 60th wedding anniversary. It is a feat for two polar opposites to reach such a milestone.

My father indulges in news, sports and political analysis, while my mother binges on K-dramas and is a social media enthusiast. He is reflective, she is chatty. He sings like a pro, she couldn't carry a tune. At this stage of their life, my father remains a homebody, save for his trips to the market, while my mother enjoys fluttering like a social butterfly. She dresses for comfort, he goes for style. She dresses up in five minutes, he needs at least 30.

My siblings and I used to wonder (and still do) how our parents managed to live together for 60 years. If their longevity as a couple were to be analyzed, we, their children, relatives, friends and their grandchildren would each have loads of anecdotal evidence and could formulate diverse hypotheses on their staying power. They best exemplify what the phrase "unity in diversity" means.

Their thanksgiving and anniversary mass was co-celebrated by my cousin, Fr. Edmon Benzon, and my childhood friend, Fr. Gerald Borja at the monastery of the sisters of Poor Clare in Sorsogon. Fr. Edmon weaved in bits and pieces of stories he knew about his Tito Jun and Tita Nening with the gospel message that centered on the wedding at Cana. Fr. Gerald, on one hand, lifted up the desires of their heart and wished for their good health as he recited the prayers of the faithful. For a couple whose number of friends is in the hundreds, an attendance of about 90 guests — mostly composed of family and relatives — at church and at the reception that followed, was considered intimate.