SHE'S THE BEST THING THAT EVER HAPPENED TO ME IN 41 YEARS AND EVER WILL BE

by: Norberto Betita

The alarm rings. I picked up the cellphone and shut the buzzer. I heard my wife asked whether I or she will have to do the cooking. I told her I will do the preparations for our breakfast. Then in tones so sweet to the ears she repeatedly said I love you. I also kept repeating the words. When I was about to wake up, I realized it was our 41st wedding anniversary. I hugged her tightly and told her I’m so sorry for almost forgetting this most memorable and important day, and told her I loved her very much.

Forty one years ago, on January 23, 1974, we were married in a very simple wedding ceremony solemnized at the living room in the home of our town Municipal Mayor followed by a very modest reception of scanty meals at the abode of my parents. Ever since, I had always felt in my heart that my dearest wife Letty was and is the best thing that ever happened to me during those 41 years and ever will be. Of course I treasured those moments when each of our children and our grandchildren, and our foster daughters came into our lives. The joy and gladness that they bring into the family are immeasurable and are deeply kept in the innermost chamber of our hearts. Yet when I contemplate on the incalculable sacrifices which my dearest Letty had to give for all of them and myself included, and the boundless love that she constantly shared and allowed us to feel, I could not help but be encompassed by those undying fondness and devoted affection.

All that she was, all that she is, and all that she will be remains and will ever remain to be the finest cream that glaze and adorn my mortal life. Her eternal love provides strength that lingers to hold the bonds of our marital journey onward to eternity. Her perpetual commitment and chronic enthusiasm to perform her maternal and spousal duty even to the extended family branch is for me an ever powerful tug that holds our family and posterity together in accord with the sealing covenants and promises we received in the Temple. The overpowering faith and defeating humility that she holds dear in life defy every temptation that attempts to dismantle loyalties and disintegrate devotions. Her meekness in adversities and trials is an inspiration which at all times whacks our weary hearts. 

She’s not getting any younger, but her inner beauty that endured imperceptibly through her ageing years dispels the unlikely expressions of her seniority. To me she looks infinitely beautiful even with the facial lines which symbolizes countless hours of marital and family struggles and sacrifices, and service to God and His kingdom. The beauty that emanates from the wonders of eternity and walks from premortality through the veil onwards to her journey to exaltation is still aglow and will stay constant before my very eyes even until the time when tomorrow no longer comes.

How I wish that I should have given her a trickle of queenly comforts and some flood of luxury through those long and weary years of our marital relationship, but providence provides no opportunity despite hard work and immense striving. Gratitude ever fills my heart for the patience and ever determined soul that she has as to endure the rigors of mortality in the midst of scarcities and failings. Her indomitable desire to brave the incomprehensible journey to the shores of exaltation presents an encouraging assurance and positive confidence that this life will ultimately lead us to eternity together with our posterity. 

Each morning as our hands clasped together in daily prayer to the Almighty I always have the warmest feeling of love that ever comes from her heart to mine. As we celebrate our wedding anniversary today I still have the comfortable sensation that resides deep in my heart from the time we make our marital vows that indeed even now, she’s the best thing that ever happened to me in 41 years and ever will be until our mortality ends and still beyond the wonders of eternity. Our celebration remains to be just as it was when we have scanty meals for our wedding reception. However, I am most grateful to Heavenly Father since then and always for assigning to me His marvelous spirit daughter Letty to join with me down the pathway from premortality to exaltation.