My eldest son’s wedding was this past weekend. That’s my two oldest boys now. The twin grandsons were awesome and got lots of attention. Some of my son’s and DIL’s friends have kids as well, so baby fever is starting ramp up among the “next” generation of parents. I’m suspecting it won’t be long until another grandkid announcement will be coming.
The wedding service and weekend went well. The weather cooperated granting good sunshine filled photos and a wonderful outdoor service and celebration that lasted well into the nights.
XW and OM both did attend. Their weekend was spent mostly sitting by themselves. Few interactions with guests, few interactions with kids, and no interactions with family. Myself, my mom, my sister (and her family), my aunt and cousin, XW didn’t speak to any of us.
Breaking the ice between XW and I, like I did last wedding, did occur to me. However, there was no need to, nor opportunity well presented. I was quite busy and having an enjoyable time.
The most likely opportune time would have been during the meal as both XW and OM were seated at the parent table. Sitting, across the circular table, was an interesting surprise as the seating arrangements were simply posted. I suppose, really, there was/is no need to be forewarned.
Like our other son’s wedding, XW refused to partake in any speeches. So, like last time, I was asked to go solo, and give a father of the groom speech.
I’ve been to a few weddings and heard many cringe-worthy or otherwise horrible speeches. This weddings: ALL speeches were awesome! Touching, loving, sincere, genuine, with some humour. So glad I was second to speak, as the bar kept getting higher and higher.
I followed the parents of the bride. They had two specific toasts within their speech. The first was to the bride’s now deceased grandfather. Special decanters of his favourite sipping liquor were on every table, and all toasted this wonderful man and the principles his instilled. This really lit a belly fire in folks.
This, and the pre-ceremony drinks, and empty stomaches, made for a most fun crowd.
My speech, as many people found me afterwards and told me, I knocked out of the park.
My son, gave me no direction or request of what he wanted. Just keep it under 5 minutes. So…
I started right out of the gate thanking and toasting everyone for being here and celebrating with the happy couple. A big cheers.
Once the noise settled, I thanked and toasted to the bride’s parents for hosting the event and their hospitality. Another huge cheers echoed within the tent.
I then spoke about my son, his life, how proud I am. Followed by a cheers.
Then onto DIL. How beautiful she looked and how beautiful she is. How I hope she felt as welcomed as she always made me feel. Then the official welcome to the family. Cheers!
I then went into a bit of how I likely was suppose to pass on some wisdom from the older generation of marriage and love and such. With everyone now feeling good, all sitting on the edge of their seats:
Marriage is more than a spiritual communion; it’s also remembering to take out the trash.
Big laughter. Big cheers!
Then, spoke to the newlyweds, had everyone raise a glass, and those that still could - stand, and toasted the happy couple. CHEERS!
OMG! The noise. lol.
The only louder crowd screaming was during the cake cutting. My son, well the whole family, loves Lord of the Rings. The wedding had a LOTR theme, with the cake being a replica of Minas Tirith.
My son has five swords. When he unsheathed a full-size Glamdring and held it above his head, the tent erupted. Then both son and wife holding the near five foot blade cut the cake. What a great time!
Dancing and partying went until 2:30 am. What a fun night.
By chance, as I was coming back from the dance floor, I did see XW and OM making their exit at 10:30 pm.
The next morning was a pancake breakfast at 9:00 am. Both Dad’s, me and host, were up at 6:30 am getting things squared away and ready for the hungry folks.
Around noon, the breakfast over, tear down well underway, and my labour now not so much needed, I gather the twenty chairs I brought, and Mom and I returned home.
Think, today, I’m caught up on my sleep.
D
Feelings are fleeting. Be better, not bitter. Love the person, forgive the sin.
Sit quietly, the answers will reveal themselves when you least expect them to. The past is gone, the present is a gift and you need to focus on today, allow the future to reveal itself when it is ready.
It’s a chilly fall day here. I awoke to an overnight of -1C. There is a wee layer of frost and ice upon everything. I’m playing catch-up in my fall work of getting ready for winters cold embrace as I was on holiday with my D23. We drove three days to an amusement park and rode rollercoasters for four days, and then returned. Well, not just roller coasters, all the rides. Oh my, some of those spinner/scrambler rides do throw one around.
The day of our departure was an early start.; 7:00am depart time as lots of travel to do. That morning it had dropped to -5C over night. That mid October drop in temperature was a bit unexpected, as was rushing around in the dark getting the dog water bowl plugged in. Turned out that coldness set in for a few days and my dog sitter had to find a pail to haul water as the set out garden hose froze up.
I returned to just above freezing temperatures. And rain! Actually, D23 and I were in rain the last two days of rides and the entire trip home.
The amusement park locale’s weather was much milder than home. Mid teen temperatures. Still, kind of chilly with the constant rain. Interestingly, and fortunately, none of the rides were shut down due to the rain. And we had a blast! Who knew being rain soaked while flying at highway speeds with water droplets hitting your face like and sand blasting pellets, is so much fun. lol! Oh my, we rode so many rides, so many times.
Returning home I found a few trees had fallen due to storms. My roadway had trenches dug into it from the rainfall-rivers that stream downhill. And apparently I had mistakenly left the upstairs hall light on. Haha.
I bombed around with my tractor and road maintainer/box scraper fixing up the gravel road for the upcoming snow. Removed the box scraper and attached the snowblower. Installed my roadway marker reflectors so I can find the road when those blankets of white bury the landscape.
And yesterday, more rain, and more gouges dug out of my prepared roadway. Sheesh. This will be rake and shovel work now. Oh well.
My last few needed tasks are to drain the vehicles’ windshield fluid of water and fill with anti-freeze; drain the garden hoses; drain the outside water lines and store them away; clean up and put away all the summer tools; and get out the shovels and ice chisels/scrapers.
The 2800km trip was a wonderful ride through autumn’s colors. Toronto’s weather and season has long lasting tress of red and orange. Slowly, on road homeward the pallet dropped the reds, then oranges, and moved to brown. At home most of the leaves are gone. Trees are bare.
The grass however is green, lush, and still growing! I suppose there is some kind of testament to life surviving harsh conditions and all that; but I ain’t mowing any more this year! Hee.
Well, I best get to it. Today’s last few chores will have me prepared for the cold.
Take care everyone,
D
Feelings are fleeting. Be better, not bitter. Love the person, forgive the sin.
Sounds like you had a wonderful trip with D23. Family time is so precious. Some of life's greatest treasures. It warms my heart to hear your update. And, that the rain didn't discourage either of you from those thrilling rides.
As for those outdoor chores, it seems they are never done. I remember you talking about the S word; I guess it's been a year already. I better get ready.
I still have one more mow this week. I spent a couple hours blowing the red, orange and yellow off my green today. The sun was shining so I didn't mind it so much.
Sitting, across the circular table, was an interesting surprise as the seating arrangements were simply posted. I suppose, really, there was/is no need to be forewarned.
