Monday, August 22, 2011

there Love is...


This dark, old snapshot allows me a glimpse back to the most fascinating day in my life.  All the years, I've focused on the couple in the center about to leave for a honeymoon, but last night I focused on all the sweet faces surrounding the car.  Twenty-nine years ago today that was me leaving with my brand, spanking, new husband and we were so naive about what we had just done.  We were delighted and thrilled to be starting a new life together but mostly, we were clueless.  Sometimes...ignorance is bliss. 

The photographer was my father-in-law.  He had one of those disc cameras that everyone had in the early 80's.  He took so many pictures and usually got 3 copies of each one.  This one I hardly noticed until last night, but today I cherish.  This may take a while but I want to acquaint you with some of the people in this shot. 

The first person I see is Gregg's aunt.  Living in Chicago at the time, we were thrilled she came all the way and shared this day with us.  A missionary in Africa, she wasn't around much but through the mail, she stayed in constant contact with her nephew and she wouldn't miss this for the world. 

Next, I notice my cousin Cathy.  If anyone could make pregnancy elegant, she could and she did!  She organized and help to plan my wedding, choreographed our entrance, all just a couple of weeks before she was going to give birth to her son.  And she still managed to look radiant!  I still can't believe I asked her to do this (what did I know about being pregnant then)  and I'm still shocked and thankful she agreed. 

There's my young brother and sister right up front, 12 and 14.  They look so much younger, then  I would have given my life for them, still would...

I see my Uncle Dick wandering around in the background, where he always did his best work.  I miss him so much!  Then there's Joanie, crying...she has loved me, unceasingly.  Scanning to the right, I see my dad looking a little sad and my aunt's gentle hand placed on his arm, Comfort.  Big sister taking care of little brother, everlasting.  She's taken care of people since she was two years old, I presume.  I'm most thankful, she was there to take care of me.

In the center, is another aunt.  She loved and loved and loved some more.  My wedding cake was her gift to me.  Hours of baking and decorating and it turned out beautiful just like her.  Growing up she was just there.  Grooming me, teaching me, molding me.  Eventually, she would be with me in the delivery room with my 1st daughter and through the pangs of each contraction I stayed focused on her perfectly, white teeth.  Possibly, even then, the cancer cells were there. Invading, knowing they would eventually win.  I.hate.cancer.

The one in the navy blue dress...she's my grandmother.  She looked beautiful that day, as she did everyday.  She could rock a pair of heels, yet was the ultimate picture of humility.  She was the heart of our family, the one everyone came home to and the one that with great love, welcomed everyone home.  I believe, in heaven, there is no evidence of strokes, "the lame will dance, they'll dance for they are able. and the weary find rest, oh, the weary find rest...In You."  Thank you God for that assurance.

Some of the faces are blurry or dark, I'm thinking that's Uncle Bob next to Danny is his early 80's three-piece suit.  Next to my dad would be my cousin Linda and then Aunt Ann, I think.  My step-mother isn't in the photo because she and her certifiably, crazy sisters are still working, cleaning and wrapping up everything, following our lovely Southern wedding reception.  There are many family members probably standing on the other side of the car that we can't see.

Sometimes, you don't even know how much you are surrounded by love.  You think you're all alone in this big, bad, world and then you look up and there Love is.  That's what family is all about, even more so, marriage.  Gregg has loved me when I've been unlovable, extinguished my pity parties, and supported me when I wanted to step out and try something knew. 

Here's to at least 29 more years Gregg, surrounded by love.

and chocolate pie!

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