Growing old is not a sunset for Anita and Chicho

Some stories are not written in fleeting ink, but with the steady hand of the passing years, shared mornings, and the deep bond that only a life well-lived can bestow.

Marking the Day of the Elderly celebrated on October 1st we find a shining example of inspiration in the shared lives of Rafael Álvarez Guerra (affectionately known as Chicho) and Anadina Capiró Domínguez (tenderly called Anita by all).

“When I arrived at the Provincial Hygiene Center, I joined the Economic Department. We had a good rapport; I spent a long time working alongside my husband, who was employed in the construction materials sector.”

“I was at the Construction Materials Center, working specifically at the mosaic tile factory. There were so many activities—from agriculture to the factory and other daily tasks. And so, day by day, we moved forward until we built a family.”

Together, they share 43 years of marriage—a journey built upon pillars as solid as the materials their own hands once shaped during their working lives.

The story of Chicho and Anita also reflects an era when daily hard work and dedication to one’s job were the norm.

“Those were times when we were always united; we went to every activity together. We had a daughter—she’s 39 now. She did very well in school, and today we are proud of her. Years later, we had a son—we’re proud of both of them.”

“We shared every hour between us. She would take the kids to school in the morning, and I would pick them up in the afternoon; that’s how we looked after our children—alongside a lot of hard work. Everything flowed smoothly—there was so much respect and affection as we raised our children.”

Today, those years of intense labor have given way to a well-deserved, peaceful retirement. Far from the daily hustle and bustle of offices and factories, Chicho and Anita enjoy a routine where time seems to stand still, allowing them to savor life’s little details.

For them, growing old is not a sunset, but the golden harvest of a garden they cultivated with patience, respect, and—above all—great love. They are living proof that when experienced in good company, old age becomes the wisest and most radiant stage of life.

“I would tell people to try to share responsibilities and to work together on raising their children—making sure both parents agree on how to guide them, so there are no conflicting messages.”

“Let children see love, affection, and respect within the family. I would tell new generations to always think before they act, to be hardworking and upstanding men, to reach mutual decisions regarding household matters, and to always be present in their children’s upbringing. I believe that is the key to success.”

In Sancti Spíritus, speaking of old age means speaking of living memory. Marking this occasion challenges us as a society to ensure not only the material well-being they deserve after a lifetime of labor but also the human warmth, attentive listening, and the central role that is rightfully theirs; for caring for our elderly means honoring their life journeys—it means, in essence, honoring our own future.