You sit in a church. The front pew. Your sister stands at the front of the church holding the hand of the person she is going to marry. He's a good person and you're very thankful for that.
Also standing in front of you, are five of your cousins and your aunt. They are singing a beautiful song and you think that most of the church has a tear in their eye.
Your uncle and another cousin sit to your left. Both of your grandfathers sit to your right as well as your one living grandmother in her wheelchair. She is captivated by the singers...after all, she raised their mothers and now they are beautiful young women singing with poise and grace.
Your other grandmother passed away a few years ago but you get the feeling that her presence is also in the room. The title of the song only confirms your suspicion.
Your mom and dad sit to the far right of your pew. Your dad is crying as much as your mother.
At times you glance over your shoulder and you see dozens of relatives and family friends. They are all smiling.
You think about the great times you had at the wedding rehearsal and dinner the evening before and how smoothly everything is going today.
You imagine the night ahead...driving the motor home to the wedding reception, dancing with so many friends and family, eating and drinking until Midnight, listening to touching and funny speeches about your sister and your new brother-in-law.
You're happy...like blissfully happy.
You will probably continue celebrating late into the night. And maybe a bridesmaid will toast the couple at the end of the evening and compare the flash on your phone to the "light of their love."
But much of this has yet to happen as you sit at the front of the church listening to your cousins sing.
You look at your grandma -- the beautiful matriarch of a large family who is much closer to the end of her life than the beginning of her life.
You can see her eyes gleaming with pride. A life well lived. Many children, grandchildren and great grandchildren. Most of them so close today.
She hopes that for Jess and Chase the light of their love will see them through the difficult times just like the light of her love for Jim has stood the test of time.
You exhale a sigh of relief...the wind from your breath is calm and peaceful. All is well.
Time to...
Enjoy the ride,
Damm
