Ambassador José Abeto Zaide                   I almost forgot that it is our wedding anniversary today. My wife Victoria aka Meng won’t forgive me if I miss celebrating this 13th anniversary of our wedding on 29 February. If I drew a blank today, she would surely give me the silent treatment for weeks. Or it could go longer… or heaven help, perhaps even something much worse than that. We will hear the early 6:30 morning mass today at the Our Lady of the Ascension parish at Goodwill 2; and, crossing our fingers, promise till death do us part and other niceties beyond our strength. We will repeat, if we survive up to our 25th (silver?), and do the real thing if we would still remember… or if still together. We would be too shy to join those whom the parish priest Fr. Gilbert Romulo will call forward to the altar at the end of the mass for blessings on the occasion of their special day. We won’t do anything exceptional. But we remembered to invite nears and dears on short notice. (We were lucky to get acceptance for a same week’s invitation.) Meng, the culinary wizard who did the delectable in our tours of duty, has hanged up her chef’s hat and apron. (She reached three-star heights by practicing on a husband who had a stomach of iron. So he claims half of the credit.) But we gave the task to the Mammamia Pizzeria, an out-of-town locale that only the faithful discovered and persevere to reach. We reserved 21 seats for us and for those who were able to accept. * * * My sister Flora and her husband Sonny will join; so will my brother Bing and his wife Lally. Our first born, Kochel, will join. But her sister Ning is in Germany. Our first boy Jamil would not have returned from errant duties; and his brother Paolo is in London. (One of the wages of being foreign service brats.) None of their retazosare invited to this adults-only event. We were able to rope in bosom friends Ernie and Lulu. Ben and Ime still cannot be reached by mobile, landline, or email. My classmate Roy said yes; but asked if it would be in 2030. Jojo and Baby begged off because they are standing as ninongs for a couple’s wedding (who in later years may also sportingly remember the date). Our kumadre Helen will be there. So, too, Chato and Joms. Our kids pooled their marbles together and gifted us a one-year-old Red chariot to retire my trusty wheels. It is a new toy to compensate for my fading visibility and late reaction reflexes. …Only to be overtaken, (and us overwhelmed) by Oca and his son Anthony, who gifted us with a current model three-pointed star Chedeng (to retire my older chariot). Oca’ s daughter Malou and Ryan will be well-wishing, too. This is an understatement on four wheels. (The only thing it cannot do is to fly.) It is uncommon to receive a gift on one occasion of two branded motorcars, and more than you can speed. If good things come in three’s, would you blame someone expectant of a third? So I am holding breath, for whatever heaven will bestow. * * * Not of my doing; but our cup doth overflow. As one of our kids said, “I am glad you have such sporty wheels to drive around town. That is what we wanted for you — to be mobile and independent. It was a joint effort that we made to support you. In Paolo’s case it was a huge effort.” (Short of robbing Peter to pay Paul.) And it closes with caveat, “Continue to drive safely!” All good things come at the right time and place. I will take more time and imagination to prepare for our next anniversary… This takes so much huffing and puffing. Life is full of riddles. Especially when you are drawing to and from the bottom of your resources. Do you believe in fairies? That when you are on your sunset years, the best is yet to come. It is more than what we need in life… FEEDBACK: [email protected]