Wedding Article

Sorry friends, but this column has been very hard for me to write. Probably because my emotions have been running at an all time high. Yesterday my oldest, Liz married the love of her life, Mark. Eleven months from today my daughter Kate will marry her Army Lieutenant. I haven't slept much in the past two days. At first thinking of my daughter as a little girl. I remember going to Breezy Acres just the two of us when Daddy had a 12 hour shift. We stayed all day and I had to sing to her to keep her awake before we got home and she had a bath before bed. I remember the grin she gave me as a when Daddy showed her a Godzilla movie while I took a nap and then was outraged. I think about the way she idolized Papa, her grandfather, who she lost too soon. He would wrap her in his arms and never miss a beat in the conversation.

Liz and Mark met in Ms. Smolin's 1st grade classroom, yet they didn't start dating until July 4thafter high school graduation. They had a four year long, long distance relationship while at two different colleges. Mark not only encouraged Liz to follow her dreams to Ireland for Vet School, he applied to Austria his father's homeland, for dual citizenship so he could follow her. At Liz's intense study sessions, Mark is known to show up, cook for everyone, then go home and leave them to study.

On our drive to St. Patrick's for the wedding we drove past St. Patrick's cemetery. First, I said a prayer to Papa to watch out for his little girl as she got married and to please be there with us. I turned and saw Liz trying unsuccessfully not to cry. Seriously, you know how far away the cemetery is and an emotional breakdown was not in the time scheduled. While blinking back tears she told me how much she missed him and had always expected to see him at her wedding.

Father Nick, Deacon Chris, Chris and Katrina and Mary gave my daughter the most amazing wedding ceremony. Listening to the blessing of the wedding couple repeatedly pray for them to grow old together and see their childrens children made my heart skip several beats.

I was just like Liz, young and in love and ready to tackle the world with the love of my life 26 years ago. At the time you have it all mapped out. Careers, house, children, perfect children and growing old together. Well we struggled a bit along the way. We had three beautiful children. One of whom has had chronic health issues, one of whom has a learning disability. Two years ago my husband was diagnosed with young onset Alzheimer's. This is not what you are thinking on your wedding day when you vow " to have and to hold, from this day forward,for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, until death do us part."

But as I have learned you have to play the cards God gives you. In this time, there is so much for me to be grateful for. This is in no way in order but in stream of thought. My family is across the country and we have not been all together in three years. Having them all here for a few days before the wedding to love us, buy us a new grill then make dinner for us all, for my siblings to all gather around me when I cracked the night before the wedding and support me in my tears cannot be expressed as to how much I needed them and there love. To have been gifted with so many incredible, wonderful, supportive family and friends at the wedding was incredible. To know God has put each one of them in our life so at this time we are not alone is awe inspiring.

I am not going to have the luxury of growing old with my husband. He will leave me before I am ready. I have moments when I wonder how this could have happened to us, to our family. Yet, in this time I look at the blessing he gave us. Joe and I have and will continue to honor our vows. I wish the same for Liz and Mark as well as Kate and Adam. No one's path is clear. We all face our incredible struggles. Yet, as I am reminded time and again, if we put God at the center we will be amazed at the wonders he will lead us too.