When It Hit Me

Not when I woke at six
to droning hair driers beyond our door.
Or when I stepped into the room
that had been hers for seven years
to see her mother lacing up the gown.
Or when she walked with elegance
down the driveway
for morning photos at the shore,
or down the hallway of the church
to show me the ring and band together,
or down the slope of tall pines
after outdoor pictures with them all.
Down the aisle with me
the smiles were sure and eyes were clear.
And when they two now one
walked beaming in between
both sets of parents,
we all four beamed along
and followed through the brimming eyes
of those who shared our joy.
Not when the bubbles blew
and they ran to board the trolley car
that came to shuffled them through town.
Not at the celebration hall
where we walked in announced
to a thousand crystal candles,
and roses and linen and happy faces
at each turn and festooned columns
in the soft blue glow of an embrace
around the love and youth before them.
Not at the toasts that made us laugh
or the many prayers
that turned our thoughts to Truth.
Not even—to my surprise
(but for one pause and hard swallow)—
when I spoke to thank our guests
and told them of the twists and turns
that brought us to this time and place.
Not even when I gave the groom
that little ring I’d given her
those many years before,
a token of what kept her just for him.
And when we kissed farewell
in the final scurry of the day
and the little car I’d seen
a hundred times in our driveway
drove draped away in makeshift merriment,
I laughed and cheered with all the rest.
Not in the countless hugs
of those still standing there
to help with all the little chores
that come when such things end.
To one and all it seemed the perfect day
and was in every way.
There was, perhaps, a smiling tear or two
that dried untouched with little notice,
but in not one moment had I been
filled with anything but joy
and deeper love for all those around us
and the hand I’ve held for 27 years.
Not once did it hit me in the way I’d feared.
Not at the church or hall
or in the short drive home.
And when I walked into the house
with a tired tux flung over my shoulder,
I felt only the weight of a long day
in each tread to the top of the stairs.
But standing there,
with our room to the right,
I made the mistake of looking left to hers
and was drawn in to the bed
she’d made at six A.M.
There beside it, by the clock ,
was her glass of water
from the night before
with a few sips left behind…
and that was when ...

Click on each photo to enlarge.

I wrote this early the next morning and added the pictures and comments in the days that followed. #1= a photo posed just down the street from the church. Kelly the photographer let grandma take a snapshot. #2= This trolley is a local attraction the girls have often enjoyed.

#3= Kim and Nat were co-maids of honor, but Kim gave the toast. Nat was so much fun to watch that day with the older girls. Seeing her stand shoulder to shoulder with them put the first lump in my throat that day. #4 That's me speaking briefly and giving Keith the ring I'd given Em (It's on my little finger). I actually smiled and laughed as I spoke. At the end I hit the "THAT was easy" Staples button from my desk. But then I went on to give the little ring and looked a bit serious. =) #5 Before the garter and bouquet toss, the parents and couple were called up on the dais for a prayer of blessing. Groom's father Dave is behind him. #6 snapshot was taken by my stepfather (see him in the reflection?). My brother Dave, whose house was in a terrible fire less than two weeks before, is taking the video on the other side of the car. Once things settle down for him, he may post some short clips I can link to on Youtube. [Youtube clips in opening lines added 7-18-07.]

On July 5th, I added four additional snapshot taken by groom's sister (and bride's hairdresser): #7= groomsmen in the tall white pines behind the church. (The ladies joined them in a photo not yet available.) #8= inside the trolley. #9 seven siblings inside the trolley. (Best man was taking the picture with one hand and trying to lean into the frame. =) By the way, they had a riot on that ride across town.#10 the "festooned columns in the soft blue glow of an embrace around the love and youth before them."

Some more gathered snapshots here.. Keith looked on during these photos.

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