Two neighbouring Caribbean islands, Anguilla and Antigua, shared a special and co-existing love for some twenty-six years, lived out (and continuing) in a mother, Mrs. Edna Chiddick (now 92), who resides in Antigua – and her daughter, Mrs. Marilyn Hodge, who is living in Anguilla having met her dream husband, Mr. Kenneth Hodge.
Marilyn is the twelfth of thirteen children born to her parents, Mr. and Mrs. Chiddick, in Antigua where she grew up. It was there that, as good fortune would have it, she and Ken met at the Antigua State College where they did their Teacher Training. But, upon graduation, he returned to Anguilla. She later followed him to Anguilla in 1989 and soon afterwards they got married, bringing together, in the nuptial celebration, family and friends on both sides.
It was something that Marilyn had never forgotten over the years – torn between love for her mother, siblings, and her new-found husband whom she adored, and who wooed her from her own island home and family. (Her father passed away in 1981.)
The story of this triangle of love came out when Marilyn brought her beloved mother, Mrs. Chiddick, to Anguilla just recently for a special occasion. The invitation to a wide cross-section of the community, and a number of clergymen, read as follows: “Come and celebrate with us the 92nd birthday of a Mother, Grandmother, Great Grandmother and Mother-in-law – Mrs. Edna Chiddick – at the residence of Ken & Marilyn Farrington, Anguilla, Sunday August 2nd 2015 at 2.00 pm.” By that time, there was a full house where Ken presided as Master of Ceremonies.
At the appropriate time, Marilyn told an appealing story about coming to Anguilla. Accompanied by her young daughter, Charissa-Ann, she left home for the Vere Bird International Airport bound for Anguilla. But, by her own admission, she was screaming down the place – leaving behind, in particular, her mother she loved dearly, and travelling to a strange, but neighbouring land, she knew nothing about. Her only faith was in Jesus and her soon-to-have been husband, Ken. And what a relief and blessing it turned out to be!
In her words, both of them having married each other, Ken became “my rock” [after Jesus] and, as far as she is concerned, “he is the best man in Anguilla”. Not only did he show his great love for her, but also for her daughter, whom he welcomed into his family. The couple have two children of their own – Sherianne and Keron.
In the big task of sharing love and caring for her family, Marilyn’s love for her mother also remained uppermost on her mind and she was determined one day to publicly showcase that love. And so it was that she chose her mother’s 92nd birthday, and her approaching 26th wedding anniversary (which was Monday, August 10) to do so. She also told a story about her mother’s sacrificial love and care for her and her siblings in the hard times in which they grew up, her spiritual and religious influence and leadership in the family home.
The grand birthday event saw a programme of singing and musical performances by a number of persons. The homily was delivered by Bishop Samuel Daniel of the Church of God of Prophecy, one of her former teaching and pastoral colleagues, who, along with ministers from other churches, gathered in prayer around Mrs. Chiddick. Mother Chiddick herself contributed to the occasion by singing one or two of her favourite tunes before cutting the birthday cake.
Meanwhile, Marilyn’s coming to Anguilla has also personally paid off otherwise. Not only was she able to continue her teaching profession at a high level, but to embark on post-graduate studies at Bristol University in the United Kingdom. She now serves as a Correctional Service Counsellor at the Department of Social Development. Her husband, Ken, also moved on from teaching. He first became Director of Radio Anguilla and later furthered his studies at the Cave Hill School of Business at the University of the West Indies. He now serves as Principal Assistant Secretary in the Ministry of Home Affairs.
