Come to Papa!
Published:Friday | September 24, 2010 | 12:00 AM
Noel Thompson, Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
The Verney House Resort in Montego Bay was buzzing with laughter and excitement Monday night, when scores of relatives and friends converged on the small property for a celebration.
The resort's managing director and co-owner, Ernest Sterling was celebrating his 86th birthday, but credit was due to his wife, Kathleen, for organising the event, an occasion at which most of their friends showed up.
They travelled from all across Montego Bay and from as far as St Ann. Noticeable among the gathering were Custos of St Ann Radcliffe Walters and his wife Norma; Dorothy Salmon, St Ann based Justice of the Peace; former government minister and attorney-at-law Francis Tulloch; members of the judiciary, including Jeanne Foster-Robinson; Gordon Brown, Sharon Barnes, lodge members; retired and serving senior police officers and several other persons representing various sectors.
Ernest and Kathleen Sterling have been married for the past 59 years and have six children. Ernest told the gathering that his marriage has lasted this long because it has been centred on communication, respect and trust.
Many accolades were bestowed on Ernest, who has demonstrated that he defies age.
His nephew, Junior Sterling, admitted that he faced many challenges growing up, and said had it not been for his uncle and his wife's love and strictness, things could have worked out differently for him.
"This is the first time I am going to tell you publicly how much I love and respect you from my heart," said Junior.
Long-time friend Norman Tulloch serenaded Ernest and Kathleen with Nat King Cole's When I Fall in Love. Master of ceremonies, retired assistant police commissioner Enel Brydson, had a task not denying anyone who wanted to say something.
And, Ernest, in his response, spoke glowing of his lovely wife, admitting that as a young man, he had experienced different relationships, but when he met Kathleen, he knew she would be his wife. He never hesitated asking her to marry him, but this shy girl of 19, then, didn't accept instantly.
He could not resist singing, My Sweet Embrace, Come to Papa for her, just like he did when they met more than 60 years ago. They kissed, as they bird-fed each other with birthday cake.