Tuesday, November 2, 2010

Families and Festivities

I so miss the ethnic diversity that only port cities seem to engender! Today's the day I move on down the road, to go to a wedding and party plenty. The couple in question is in their thirties, fully employed, and come from Columbian families. They were almost cradle mates. Even though the events aren't in New Orleans, I'm looking forward to a really hometown feel in the festivities.

The sense of celebration when two complete families are bonded in marriage is a wonderful thing to witness. It's always interesting observing the dance of diplomacy involved in creating these blended family bonds. It certainly helps to cement the union when the families share a culture and a history.

We've all waited for many years for Ginita to find a man and a family worthy of her, never knowing that he and his family were around the corner all along. Hurricane Katrina brought the families back into close proximity to each other, and the rest will soon be history.

This bride's dowry is her intellect, her education, her sense of humor, and her solid sense of faith and family. I don't know the groom, but I hope, for all of our sakes, that he's stong enough to partner with this wonderful woman with the makings of a mighty matriarch.

The "three amigas" from high school will be in attendence, giving our "blessings" to the bride and groom. Sleeping Beauty has finally awakened, and we couldn't miss watching her walk down the aisle to her prince charming, after which they will form their own small country.

I hope that we all are serious in saying that we'll be there for the bride and groom as they embark upon the stormy sea of matrimony. I also hope that the bride and groom will call upon us for sharing our experiences, so that they may be able to avoid some of our mistakes and fast-forward into some successes by learning the lessons of ours. Wouldn't it be nice if bachelor and bachelorette parties were still mini-retreats where the wisdom of the ages was handed on to the blushing bride and goofy groom?

I'm thinking a great deal about "Fiddler on the Roof" while imagining this event. I wish I knew how to dance; I'd love to forever be able to say that I danced for my friend's daughter's wedding.