by Sue Giustino
68 years is a long time to do anything, but being married for that long takes a special relationship and impressive longevity genes. Add to that 5 children- 10 grandchildren- 3 great grandchildren with 2 more on the way, you get the life of my parents, Betty and Marty Diviney.
Blessed and grateful, that’s how I feel. As does the rest of our family. They have raised my siblings and I to always do our best, be respectful, cherish family time, and to give back whenever we can. Make no mistake, like every family there’s been issues, but somehow, we always seem to come together and support one another. The example our parents have set for us has a lot to do with it.
To say they had an easy life would be incorrect, yet through it all, my parents stuck together; supporting, loving, and enjoying each other. Growing up as one of five had its trials, yet many more benefits. However, raising five children had to be exhausting. In addition to being a NY City Firemen and eventually retiring as a Battalion Chief, dad worked many jobs to provide for our family. Mom held down the fort- caring for the five of us, daily needs, preparing 3 homecooked meals each day, even making much of our clothing when we were young. They were a team, and it worked- and it still does.
For years, we went to church on Sunday, watched a few shows on our black and white TV, and ate dinner together every night, with few exceptions. We also had many friends in and out of the house, all welcomed to join for a homecooked meal.
Mom and Dad worked hard, saved for annual summer road-trip vacations with our station wagon to Florida, Virginia, Main… anywhere we could go-make memories while returning one week later so dad could get back to work. Some of our favorite times were our day trips to Hither Hills in Montauk. We’d all pile in the station wagon bright and early in the morning and drive the 2 hours from Huntington to Montauk. Meeting our good family friends, we’d enjoy the ocean, BBQ lunch and return for more beach time, then back to the picnic area for dinner and games. I can’t remember a time growing up that we didn’t do this at least once or twice a summer- always ending at Carvel in Bridgehampton with the two wagons full of kids lining up for ice cream. That started our love of Montauk, and year after year as teens and even with our own children we’d get a few campsites for a week of family fun. Still today we plan our annual family weeks together in Montauk.
For some well-earned alone time, they would vacation together as well, or with their own siblings and friends leaving us with grandma and grandpa. They sent each of us to attend college, and even took every one of their ten grandchildren on a special cruise when they turned 16.
We still cherish being together for family dinners, special occasions, and even some vacations together. I realize how fortunate we are to still have our parents and for our children and grandchildren to be able to know and enjoy them.
Happy Anniversary Mom and Dad – We Love you!
