Happy Golden Jubilee Wedding Anniversary

Anthony and Maria’s Golden Jubilee Wedding Anniversary

Nairobi, April 19, 2020

Today we are all blessed on the Golden Jubilee Wedding Anniversary of Anthony and Maria. What a wonderful milestone for these two wonderful people! I wish this were a different season for the entire world. Unfortunately, we live in changed circumstances. We cannot be together. We cannot party as of old. There are, however, many things we can celebrate. We can give thanks to God for joining Anthony and Maria together, 50 years ago. Let me take you back in time. The swinging sixties had just ended in 1970. At their Wedding reception Anthony and Maria danced, rocked and rolled. The band electrified the air with ballads like “Let’s twist again”. Today I cannot twist with you but I will be singing with joy, even if I am very far away. I have every reason to, because I am family. I also share with you the faith that together, we who arecalled to the Marriage supper of Jesus Christ are one family and truly blessed.

Very often we take our blessings for granted. So what blessings can we celebrate today. At a time when disease has cut down so many of us including my beloved husband and Anthony’s brother, we must celebrate that we are still alive and well. We must celebrate the gifts of their children and grand-children to carry Anthony and Maria’s dreams and legacy forward. Most importantly we celebrate 50 years of unbroken union of the happy couple, in an age where marriage has lost some of its glamour.

Anthony and Maria’s match was definitely made in heaven. Anthony is chivalrous and treats Maria like a queen. Maria on her part has always returned the favour. They complement each other so well in so many different ways. To God be the glory.

What then can we wish Anthony and Maria but a continued contented life together in the years ahead. I pray for their good health and cheer. May their troubles be light and may good cheer surround them going ahead. Good wine like Marriage, matures with age. May that good wine become more mellow. May their blessings and those of their children, grandchildren and family grow in proportion to the blessing that they have been to all of us.

China is in the worldwide news, unlike 50 years ago. It is to a Chinese poet, Lao Tzu, that I must turn as I bless Anthony and Maria. He wrote:

What is well planted will not be torn up.
What is well kept will not escape.
Whosoever leaves their memory to their children will not fade away.
Whosoever molds their person, their life becomes true.
Whosoever molds their family, their life becomes complete.
Whosoever molds their community, their life will grow.

Anthony and Maria’s marriage has been well planted and well tended so none of them ever considered parting ways. They have left memories to their children that will not fade away. Their impact on each other, their family and their community is legendary.

What more can I say but to praise God for Anthony and Maria’s marriage. I want to bless them with a prayer for a long and happy next phase of their lives together.