Mr. Write's Page

Oct. 21, 2007:

My sister’s wedding was yesterday. All went well. No screwups, nothing scandalous or worthy of TV highlights.

Betty was beautiful and radiant. Jim, who had a goatee at the rehearsal, showed up for the main event clean-shaven.

The marriage ceremony lasted about 45 minutes, mostly because a full-blown communion was part of it. Maddie did amazingly well. She sat quietly with a coloring book and never complained. I suppose all of the singing and music and pomp held her interest.

Aunt Betty was seated next to Jim’s mother and was treated with the reverence of a parent, which in many ways is her role now.

The reception, held at a place in Dunwoody, was very posh. A stretch limo transported the wedding party. Music was by Snaz, one of Jim’s bands.

The food was fancy and excellent — best meal I’ve had in ages. Lee and I read our poems well enough to get by. I don’t know if I spread the ceremonial smoke correctly, but I doubt if anyone knew the difference. Except Betty, and she didn’t complain.

My cousins drove over from South Carolina. Also present were Tommy’s wife Peggy and her granddaughter Tera. Maddie and Tera and several other little ones had a blast dancing with the guests and running around the dance floor.

Sherry’s little nephew Zeb is now 6′ tall, slender and athletic. He caught the garter.

In the past, I’ve had a few glimpses into Betty’s world, but the wedding weekend was my first extended look. Betty seems remarkably content. Jim and his family are as genuine as it gets. Their friends are an eclectic and interesting bunch, not one of whom gets on my nerves. What are the odds of that?

Almost forgot: everything went perfectly until the happy couple exited the building to drive away in the limo to the honeymoon suite. As they came down the steps, Betty tripped and fell. Whammo — hands on pavement.

But she bounded back up laughing and didn’t seem to be hurt.

I have the moment on video.

The bride and groom. They did this a lot.