Of Golden Wedding Anniversaries

Over this last weekend I had the privilege of attending my parents' 50th Wedding Anniversary celebration.And it really was a privilege.My three siblings and I, along with our children, were together in the same room for the first time in probably a decade.I would like to take this opportunity to honour Mum and Dad.They had two children and their third, a daughter, was born with Spina Bifida and died aged about 18 months. As they wanted a family of four they adopted me and then a year or so later, my younger sister.We lived simply but wanted for nothing. We were always well-fed and clothed and surrounded by love. None of us could recall any time that Mum and Dad fought. We learned the values of hospitality and kindness and putting others first. We all were well educated and exposed to art as well as science. We learned the value of regular chores - lawn-mowing, polishing the brass bell by the front door, trimming the hedge, and ironing handkerchiefs.My parents never pushed me in directions that I was not comfortable. They allowed me to make my own decisions (and live by the consequences!). They supported me unconditionally and without judgement. And still do.I remember vividly looking forward to the annual Summer Holiday. As my parents were teachers by profession we were able to have long journeys. We would be loaded into the Holden Kingswood station wagon and would tow a caravan all over New Zealand. By the time I was 15 I had been to the top of the country and down to the bottom of the south and everywhere in between. This is something I realise now was a rarity and was profoundly impacting in terms of grounding me as a Kiwi.So Mum and Dad. Thank you. Thank you for inspiring me to be a better person, and a better father to my kids. 50 years of marriage is an amazing and unbelievable achievement.Simon.