Ode to 60
Years of Marriage
Twenty five years have been and
gone,
Then fifty came
around.
Now it’s sixty years of true
devotion,
An achievement to be
proud!
We look back in admiration,
Of the losses you had to
bear,
As you parted from friends and
family,
For a better life
elsewhere.
Arriving in Australia,
To a culture of carefree
living,
With a language difficult to
master,
And a climate
unforgiving.
In jest and ridicule were you
betrayed,
In your many attempts and
persistence,
To speak and learn this new
language better,
Which at first made little
difference.
Despite the negativity,
You had one goal in
mind,
To secure a home for your
family,
Which you were determined to
find.
After some moving from place to
place,
And tough times along the
way,
You remained steadfast in your
dreams,
And eventually came the
day.
When you finally arrived in a far out
town,
A long way from Albert
Park,
To a little place called
Warrandyte,
Where you settled and made a
start.
From precious little your hard work
began,
To create the best for us
all.
We often wonder how you
managed,
As it must have been quite a
struggle.
You have experienced so much in your
life,
Things we could never
comprehend,
We cannot fully understand the
war,
And the hardships this inflicted
‘til the end.
Not only have you lived through such
times,
You then moved to an unknown
place,
Where opportunities you truly
believed,
Would be easier to
embrace.
Although sometimes it was a
challenge,
As you had four daughters to
raise,
You never wavered in your duty as
parents,
And were always ready to
praise.
We rarely caught a glimpse of
disagreements,
Or bore witness to your worries
and stress,
You made sure we never went
without,
And filled our home with love and
kindness.
You seldom thought about
yourselves,
Placing others needs before your
own,
Your wish was to give your
girls,
A life we could not
bemoan.
As if you had not enough to do
already,
You made time for others in
need,
The fact they were not always
family,
Were honorable gestures
indeed.
But that is our Mum and Dad all
over,
Never asking for anything in
return,
Overflowing with generosity of
spirit,
Humbly grateful for everything
they earned.
Then your daughters grew up and
married,
They had children of their
own,
Some of these children now have
children,
And your family has truly
grown.
We may not always have thanked
you,
And our appreciation never
waned,
Without fail you loyally
supported us,
Even when our mistakes were to
blame.
We thank you now for all the pain and
sacrifices,
You have shouldered for us over
the years,
We appreciate every effort you
made,
And more clearly understand your
tears.
There must have been moments of
frustration,
And times of discomfort and
despair.
You survived every setback and
with stoic pride,
You still showed us how much you
cared.
We feel your deep respect for one
another,
And can see your strong bond in
life,
You may not always openly show
your love,
But it’s there - as parents,
husband and wife.
No one can dare accuse you of
selfishness,
Or of not trying your very
best,
You have continually done far and
beyond,
What would have been done by the
rest.
Look back with pride on all your
achievements,
And the incredible distance you
have traveled.
Many would have faltered well
before now,
Taking the path in life’s journey
you have followed.
Composed in
January 2007
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