Last weekend we celebrated my parents' Golden Anniversary with an open house for family and friends. People came from the Island and the interior, the Kooteneys and Alberta to honour a long and happy marriage. The oldest was 90 year old Uncle Bob, the youngest was 7 week old cousin Aiden. The day couldn't have been better - the sun was shining and it was warm enough to sit outside and chat while watching the kids toss the football around with the even littler kids. Generations flowed from one to the other, making it impossible to see where one ended and the next began.

We had old photo albums, wedding albums and a copy of their Marriage Certificate. Some people mingled, other people parked themselves in a comfy chair and let people come to them... and come they did.

It was a wonderful celebration, but a little bittersweet for me, as the occasion also brought my soon-to-be ex home to clear out the rest of his stuff and discuss the particulars of our divorce. So while we celebrated a lasting love we also were closing the book on our own.

My life is beginning anew, but I mourn the passing of the old one.