Why have I been cleaning kitchen tile grout and digging nutsedge today? Well, because my daughter, Sylvia is getting married right this minute. Huh? Yeah! I’m not invited. Is that sad? Yes, in a way. Is it not so sad? Absolutely!
A couple of years ago Sylvia and I were talking about some wedding we’d been to with the 8 bridesmaids and all the trimmings and she said, “You know, Mom, if I ever have the privilege of getting married I really think I’m going to elope.” I said, “You mean I can clean out that dresser drawer full of cute examples of rice/birdseed holders that I’ve been saving 46 years?” We had a good laugh and I cleaned out the drawer and threw them all away. You see, her dad, my husband was a minister who did over a thousand weddings during the 43 years he was serving. So, believe me, I’d saved everything that came down the pike in regard to wedding favors sans birdseed and rice of course.
It didn’t surprise me that she said she’d elope. With her personality type and abhorence of public display I understood where she was coming from. And she had waited a long time through circumstances largely beyond her control.
Today, she’s in Idaho and I am in Texas. But you know what? Our hearts are as close to each other right this minute as she’s saying her wedding vows at The Hitchin’ Post in Coeur d”Alene, Idaho as if I were the proud mother of the bride in that ridiculous “mother of the bride” dress I’ve seen so many wear. But, as I sit here I realize I’d have made a lousy Mother of the Bride. I’m blubbering like a baby and that would sure make my mascara run!
So, as I lift my glass of wine (wine, by the way, that Sylvia left in the fridge 3 weeks ago and that I don’t really like) I say to Wade and Sylvia:
MAY YOU HAVE A LONG AND HAPPY LIFE TOGETHER, FILLED WITH LOVE AND JOY. I PRAY, HEAVENLY FATHER, THAT YOU WOULD POUR OUT YOUR BLESSINGS ON THEM MIGHTILY. SURROUND THEM WITH YOUR LOVE, YOUR PROTECTION, YOUR POWER AS THEY CONTINUE TO SERVE YOU. MAY ALL THE GIFTS YOU HAVE IN STORE FOR THEM BE THEIRS.
Papa, are you listenin’? Our beautiful daughter is getting married right now! And, oh, the joy that is hers! I’m sorry you couldn’t have been here to see her. But hey! You wouldn’t have been invited anyway!
Guess I’ll go dig more nutsedge!
