A golden affair
Carmen and Edmund Bartlett celebrate 50 years
Published:Sunday | February 11, 2024 | 12:13 AMJanet Silvera - Sunday Gleaner Writer
WESTERN BUREAU:
Fifty-two years ago, Edmund Bartlett plucked the most exquisite rose from Carmen Williams’ parents’ garden.
Now, standing beside him on a Friday night, that same rose has blossomed into a magnificent bloom, marking the celebration of their 50th wedding anniversary.
In a heart-warming display of love and celebration, friends, family members, Prime Minister Andrew Holness and several government ministers, and emissaries, gathered in abundance to witness the Jamaica tourism minister, a global icon in his own right, serenade his wife with an Elizabethan melody. The enchanting strains of Drink to Me Only with Thine Eyes, famously revitalised by Johnny Cash in modern times, filled the packed ballroom of the Royalton Negril.
This tender gesture, typically reserved for lovers, was just one of the many expressions of devotion Edmund Bartlett devoted to his beloved wife on this momentous occasion. In a room brimming with love and admiration, his words resonated profoundly, a testament to the resilience that has come to define him.
Renowned for his eloquence, it was Bartlett’s wife, Carmen, who stole the spotlight on Friday night, taking charge of the couple’s reply. With grace and wisdom, she articulated the essential elements that have sustained their marriage over the years.
“Honestly,” she began, “we believe we’ve made it through these many years because of our unwavering love for each other.”
Yet, she acknowledged the challenges they faced, from political and financial pressures to social and emotional strains. Despite these hurdles, they persevered, guided by the pillars of prayer, communication, and respect, laying the foundation for a sustainable and enduring union.
In a poignant moment of remembrance, the couple paid a heartfelt tribute to their late daughter, Lisa, whose courageous battle with cystic fibrosis left an indelible mark on their lives. Amid the trials and tribulations, they found solace in gratitude, thanking God for the enduring gifts that remain: their son, Edmund ‘Ditto’ Bartlett, their cherished grandchildren, and their beloved daughter-in-law.
It was apparent that their unwavering love and support provides the inspiration and motivation to embark on another 50 years of companionship and devotion.
Drawing from her favourite Bible quote, 1 Corinthians 13, Carmen eloquently reiterated the timeless wisdom: “Love is patient and kind. Love is not jealous or boastful or proud or rude. Love does not demand its own way. Love is not irritable and keeps no record of when it has been wronged.”
With profound insight, she revealed that these principles have been their guiding light, enabling them not only to endure but to flourish over the past 50 years. Their journey together has been defined by a commitment to these ideals, fostering growth, understanding, and unwavering love in their union.