Monday, May 21, 2007


MY PAST WEEKEND

I had a fabulous time visiting with the bride's family! I really admire how they are so close to each other. When they were taking pictures, I felt very tender towards them and how they comport themselves with each other. The bride's two siblings and their spouses each have very sweet countenances and clearly love each other. Her maternal aunts, uncles and cousins were all there and clearly, their unconditional love and support were all but palpable. It was a magnificent sight. The bride and groom were just so happy together. I feel very good about this marriage. In fact, I feel very good about her siblings' marriages too. They all married well and I tried very hard not to get all emotional seeing the bride's parents and how proud and joyous they were.

The wedding breakfast was so much fun. I was seated next to the groom's paternal grandparents...well, his grandfather had just recently married and I sat next to her. What a magnificent woman! She claims she is 73 years old but clearly, she looks decades younger. And I'm not exaggerating. I asked for her secret and she said she went back to school in her 40s and then obtained her PhD in literacy studies. We talked in great detail about her work and she was fascinated by my ability to read in three languages. She said that was awesome. (But so many Filipinos can read at least in two languages so I'm not unique...) Anyway, she inspired me.

I also met the groom's maternal aunt. She is an accomplished Juilliard-trained concert pianist. We also had a very stimulating conversation. I was just happy and privileged that I got to sit with amazing and inspiring people! It was like an answer to a prayer.

The best part of the day was spending time with my beautiful Lucy. We checked into the Little America hotel as soon as we arrived and met up there. Catherine is just beautiful too! I just love her so much. Everytime I see her with Lucy, my heart just pumps with pride and gratitude that she is my daughter-in-law. Forget the "in-law". I love her as if she were my own already. It was also so heart-warming to see my daughters together. They just love each other so much. They got to catch up with each others' lives for most of the day. They did not attend the wedding brunch so Leland, Catherine, Kurt and I went together. Lucy feel asleep and did not wake up until shortly before we got back. Natascha and Hannah ordered room service and had lunch together while tending Lucy. It was just a fabulous morning for our little family.

I feel so blessed to have the family that I have. They are so amazing. I wish that Jordan were with us but he is having a wonderful time in London and we will get to spend time with him when we fly up to London in a mere THREE weeks! Whoa. I better get our days planned. We get to fly to Berlin for 4 days as well so I'm excited to take Jordan and Hannah there and experience new things together.

We left Utah early the next day and got back in time to prepare for church...which turned out to be a good meeting. It was just a perfect weekend.

As far as the other elements that could have put a damper on the beautiful parts of the day, I simply decided to focus on the bright and happy parts. I find it incredulous that despite years of being completely absent and uninvolved that there would still be enough fodder for stewing, gossip and murmuring about me and all my faults complete with assumptions unverified...which could be easily resolved by a mere phone call. What a waste of valuable time! I simply decided that that ship has sailed a long time ago already...without me. And I'm completely okay with that. That's all I have to say about that. All in all, it was a wonderful time with plenty of happy, bright and grateful people around me.





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