For everything there is a season and a time for everything under the sun.
It seems the May long weekend is the season and the time for celebration, a time to let loose, have fun and do silly things like go camping in the snow or water skiing, even while huge pieces of ice stubbornly hug the edges of lakes and rivers.
The May long is also a time that some people decide on the ultimate celebration.
They decide to get married.
Crazy idea!
But, on a May long weekend a very long time ago, some time between final exams and a semester break, my groom-to-be turned the wheels of his little old black volkswagon south with that very intention.
To get married.
Of course, the volkswagon, being very old and totally unrealiable, never did make it to the destination, but, thanks to his future brother-in-laws, he did.
It seems like it was a hundred years ago, but, of course, that’s silly.
It wasn’t that long at all, but, in fact, only half that long.
And so last weekend, my husband and I were blessed and fortunate enough to be the centre of attention while our children and grandchildren and a great many other family and friends gathered round to say ‘congratulations’ and celebrate with us a special anniversary.
And through it all, even as I felt immeasurable pride, mixed with a good dose of humility at my good fortune, in my mind’s eye I could see a young bride that looked a lot like I used to look.
I close my eyes against time and I remember.
I remember the wind, fierce and strong, tearing relentlessly at my beautiful white veil, held in place, none too securely, by a great many bobby pins and a few strategically placed tiny red roses.
I had walked to the church, only a few short blocks from the basement suite where I lived, carrying a simple white prayer book, a few more tiny red roses and, nestled deep within my heart where no one could see, a huge bouquet of hopes and dreams.
I was young and naive and foolishly I thought I knew a thing or two about the facts of life.
As it turned out, I knew even less than a thing or two about those facts.
I knew nothing.
I got this, I told myself as I left the altar, the church and the well wishers behind and carefully hung up my wedding dress in the very back of the closet , the place reserved for such memories like white wedding dresses.
A few days after the visit to the altar, I was ready to assume my new role as a married lady, or at least I thought I was.
Resolutely, I tied on an apron and headed for the kitchen.
Right away I knew we were in trouble, because, apparently, I had no idea how to cook.
And less than year later I discovered we were in trouble again when we brought our first born child home from the hospital.
From the moment I laid eyes on him, I loved him fiercly, protectively and strong, like mothers do when that age old maternal instinct kicks in, but, still, I found I was totally unprepared for motherhood.
True, I had read tons of child care books and, armed with a great deal of book knowledge, I told myself, “I’ve got this.”
I didn’t.
I had yet to learn that sleep deprivation after dealing with a crying baby for several consecutive nights can be its own special form of torture.
And I had yet to learn that a child may have a fever and it is not life threatening and sometimes they fall and that is not life threatening either.
And so the child grew as children do and the family tree continued to grow.
By then I had learned you didn’t need to sterilize diaper pins, and babies were actually quite durable.
And then I had to learn that I hadn’t yet learned the very hardest lesson of all.
Letting go.
And, so the years came and the years went, and it came to be that one fine day in May when the fresh green leaves spoke shyly of love and hope and the promise of a new season, we celebrated another wedding anniversary.
I could wax eloquent about the celebration, but I will simply say it was truly wonderful and I am blessed.
And, I would also say that I would wish the very best to anyone who decides to take the matrimonial plunge on a long weekend in May when tender green leaves nod softly to each other and the unspoken promise of a new season is in the air.
It truly is a good time for a wedding!