We went to a wedding today.
Being there required driving a long way,
climbing a mountain,
arriving in time to rest a bit
before the ceremony started,
being told the room would not be ready for at least 90 minutes,
sitting in the lobby with all our bags and hangers,
and then making a wonderful discovery:
We had been upgraded to a suite.
With TWO balconies.
And this is what we saw when we stood out there:
You know, we could have just stayed in our room
and enjoyed the view.
But we didn't.
We got dressed,
we went to the lovely service.
And then, while everyone else
ate appetizers and had a few drinks on the lawn,
in the freezing* cold,
we invited Dick's 90-year-old cousin
and the pastor's wife to come back to
our suite
and rest a bit before dinner.
I uploaded pictures I'd taken
and listened in
as Dick brought out some old photos
and diaries he had brought,
in hopes that this very cousin would be here.
Can I just tell you how fun it was
to listen to them talk?
She is sharp as a tack,
has great vision,
and was able to identify a lot of mystery faces
in our old photos.
She thoroughly enjoyed the diary excerpts,
adding her own memories into the mix.
Harriet is very short,
very talkative,
and one of the kindest people I've ever met in my life.
I don't imagine that very many people in her life have
ever told her she is beautiful.
But I'm here to tell you,
she was beautiful to us tonight.
She carries around with her
history.
Our history.
And stories of faith and commitment,
a vibrant testimony of God's goodness over time.
I think maybe I want to be her when I grow up.
Only trouble is,
I'll have to figure out a way to shrink
about a foot!
*Please bear in mind that I am a native Californian who has NEVER lived in a true winter climate. I'm guessing it was in the low 60's. And in evening wear, without a wrap, that is freezing to us. Sorry. I know how wimpy that is. Nevertheless, it is fact, hard fact.
