My parents' anniversary celebration was very simple. Fact is, there were no guests at all... just the immediate family. My mom has this superstition about big celebrations for monumental events. You see, my grandparents had this really big thing when they had their golden wedding anniv. They got married in church again to renew their vows, there was a big feast and the whole town was invited... hehe. You know how it is. A few months after that, my grandfather died.

A bit of digression: I was still very young when my grandfather passed away and couldn't understand how he died. I've always been told he died from a bee sting while watering his garden. Of course I never believed it. From time to time I would ask again how he died and I still got the same answer. After a while I got quite fed up with people not giving me the straight facts and treating me like a child who could be told anything by way of dismissal. When I got a lot older, I found out they've been telling me the truth all along. The bee sting caused some hypersensitivity reaction in his body which triggered an asthma attack that did him in.

Anyway, the feast was simple too. For a change, my mom requested a potluck cause she didn't want to get too poofed out cooking all the food and end up not enjoying the party. Kuya El took care of the bbq and halabos na hipon and Diko Jun brought Pansit Malabon. Ate Lani, because she's not much of a cook, had to do with adobo, which is about the only thing she can cook. Darlene made embutido and my super alalay, Anna, cooked caldereta. Mom had no choice but to cook her special lengua as it is a must at family gatherings.

My dad also got surprised to see me but he didn't get as freaked out as mom. He really did the sweetest thing. He ordered flowers for her.... very long-stemmed golden yellow lilies and a 3-tiered wedding cake of the flavor they love so much... rum butter. When he gave the flowers to mom, she slowly put it down on the dining table and hugged dad. After a while, they were both crying. I still cry whenever I remember that scene. I can just imagine what they must have been thinking... everything they've gone through for 50 years. 50 years... can you imagine?

Simple as it was, my mom did bring out her best linen, silverware, china and glassware. My sister scattered big red rose petals around the table and they nestled the dishes. There was wine in a bucket, next to the vase of lilies and fronting everything was the wedding cake. It was a beautiful table and the intimacy of the present company made everything fall into place. I made a little prayer for the occasion. I started to read it but halfway through, my eyes had blurred and I lost my voice to tears. Kuya El came to the rescue but after a few lines, he was crying himself. He had to finish the prayer though, albeit in between sobs, cause nobody came to rescue him. When I looked around, my dad and mom, my other brother and both my sisters were in tears. Yes, the prayer pretty much said it all.

After the prayer, my mom and dad did the wine thing with their arms crossed and all, they cut the cake and fed each other a forkfull (well they didn't use spoons so excuse me!... hehe) and Darlene somehow got a cut of the Anniversary Song and played it. Dad and Mom danced the waltz.

My Dad and my Mom danced the waltz. It was their golden wedding anniversary. There was wine and there were flowers and a wedding cake... just like the day it all began. No sight could be more beautiful to a child.

Oh... and my prayer? Here it is... the prayer that made everybody cry.

Dear Father, 50 years ago, on a day such as this, our parents stood together and in Your presence made their vows... to have, to hold, to love and to cherish, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health... vows made more solemn not only for the length of time they've been kept, but also for everything that has come to be and that has come to pass since they've been made.

What has come to be... With these vows, dear Father, Dad and ma have produced us, 5 wonderful children. At one time or another, these children may have left the home our parents have provided. But time and time again we've come back, because inspite of where we have gone or why we have left, there remains our unfading love for them. With all that we've become and all that we failed to be, we'd like to let them know and make them feel that love. For our part, we can only hope that we'd be able to guide, protect, serve and love our children the way Dad and Ma have done for us because in so doing, we know that we'd have done well for them.

What has come to pass... the good times and the bad, the joys and the sorrows, the tiumphs, the failures and the quiet pensive hours... the coming, the going, and the staying behind... the giving, the taking and the sharing. We all have our personal memories on these things, dear Father, on these things that have touched our lives. For 50 years we've stood together and not only did we grow and bear fruit, but a whole forest have sprung up where we stood.

So on this day, dear Father, we stand before You... our parents, the vows that they've kept, and the fruits of those vows, to thank You for all that You've blessed us with. We know, dear Father, that You didn't promise us days without pain, but You promised us strength for our days. You didn't promise us laughter without sorrow, but You did promise comfort for the tears. You didn't promise us sun without rain, but You promised us light for our way.

Here is our family, dear Father. With humble hearts, we offer ourselves to You.

This we pray in Jesus name. Amen.

Thank you for the 50 years Dad, Mom. HAPPY, HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!!! I love you both so much.