Should we still get married?

Should we still get married? - from  Visayan Daily Star

Dear Tita,

Two years ago my husband died of a massive stroke at the age of 68. I was devastated over his death and it took me almost a year before I could function normally again. Last year I happened to come across Ben, an old suitor of mine in college. He told me he was now a widower and a retiree. We got to talking about the good old days when we were both young and carefree. When he learned that I had also retired as a teacher, he immediately invited me to see his place in Miag-ao, Iloilo where he had planted beautiful flowers and plants in his wide garden. He knew how I loved plants and flowers and so I readily agreed. When I got there, I was surprised to see that his wife’s older sister Ana, an old maid at 75, was also living there. Ben told me that Ana was all alone and had no place to go so he let her stay in his house. I enjoyed my short visit at Ben’s place.

When I got back here, Ben would call or text me several times a day. He would also come on weekends to visit. It wasn’t long before he told me that when he saw me again after all these years, he realized that he never stopped loving me. He asked me to marry him and stay with him in Miag-ao. When I asked him about Ana, he said she can still stay with us as she was too old to move away. I have not given him my answer because I have misgivings about marrying him. People might laugh at us, marrying when we are both 67 years old. (Too old, don’t you think?).Fortunately, we both don’t have any children to consider. But I don’t like the idea of having Ana stay with us. Please advise me what to do.

67-YEAR-OLD WIDOW

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Dear 67-year-old Widow,

Why worry about what other people may think about you both getting married again at 67? They aren’t the ones living your lives – you are. At your age, I should think you are long past caring what other people think. If you love Ben as much as he loves you, then I say, go for it! Enjoy the few years you have left in this world. Fate has decreed that you find each other again after all these years. Don’t waste the moments pondering over what other people think. Regarding Ana, why don’t you give her a chance? You can let her stay with you and Ben and who knows? You might like her and find her a big help in caring for your garden. If not, then you and Ben could discuss this later and decide. Good luck!

TITA