Good Advice: Casilda Ling has her hair styled as part of San Fernando City Corporation's City Week celebrations November 20 at Harris Promenade, San Fernando. Photo: Stephen DoobayBy Phoolo Danny-Maharaj, South Bureau
SAN FERNANDO, South Trinidad (Trinidad Express), November 21, 2007:
Casilda Ling, 90, was among 100 senior citizens who received special treatment yesterday to celebrate the 19th anniversary of San Fernando City. Their treatment began with haircuts, eye and hearing tests and minor medical examinations. Free services were offered by several of the city's business houses.
Wendy Gibbs, chairman of the Social Development Committee of the San Fernando City Corporation which organised the programme, said: "We have been hosting this function for the senior citizens for about 12 years, as part of our City Week celebrations. It is our way of giving something special to the seniors who have helped to create a great city."
The committee organises breakfast, lunch and snacks for the elders,who sometimes struggle with a life of loneliness and depression. It encourages them to meet and greet each other, make acquaintances and new friends and exchange life stories. This year, the elders also enjoyed live entertainment from local artistes.
Ling, who will celebrate her 91st birthday on April 8, boasted, "My prayers to the Lord have given me a long and healthy life."
Formerly of Mayo Village, South Trinidad, Ling recalled: "I was 20 years when I got married to Edward Ling. He was from China. Five years after we married he left me and our two children. He said he was going to America to meet his family and send for me, but he never come back or send any money for me to look after the children."
Seventeen years later, he sent for his daughter. He died three years ago, without visiting his wife. Ling's one big regret was, "He never kissed on the lips."
She believes that her husband did not really love her. "He did not love me. He just wanted sex, but my uncle was a strict man and he would not allow him (Edward) to come and just lime with me."
Ling is proud that "I never took another man. I work and mind my children and I kept my self-respect."
She was 26 when Edward Ling disappeared from her life, leaving her to fend for herself and her children. Luckily, she said, an uncle took her in, along with the children. "I then started to sew to earn a living."
She now lives in a senior citizens home in San Fernando. "I am happy, because I do not have to do any work anymore."
Ling, a devoted Roman Catholic, has this advice for young people: "No sex before marriage, because man do not respect you afterwards."
She added: "I see some young children 12 and 13 having children and the boys only fooling them. They have to get an education first, because with education they could take care of themselves and their children."
Apart from her two children, she has seven grand, seven great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
Copyright 2005 Trinidad Express
