Big Hats and Pearls for the Girls

Big Hats and Pearls – for the girls at the bridal shower.

Who was the shower for? My son’s finance’s, my future daughter-in-love’s, Lyndsey. What a fun afternoon was shared by friends she’s had forever and the few of us who are newer onto the scene.

The gifts were mostly through their HoneyFund registry – it is set up to give gifts that contribute to a memorable honeymoon. They have swimming with the manta rays, a snorkeling cruise in the coves of the Big Island of Hawaii, breakfast in bed for two, and other wonderful times that will be remembered as gifts from people near and dear to them. What a novel idea!

The Sunday afternoon bridal shower was followed by a Tuesday birthday and a buck knife for my son – Matt turned 33 on March 20. That buck knife is just like the one his Granddaddy Burfoot AND my Granddaddy, his Great-Granddaddy, Burfoot carried. I did not have the ones they carried, yet I found one just like theirs to present to Matt – and he thought it was a pretty cool gift.

Then Café Josephine occupied my thoughts as the Rehearsal Dinner is the groom’s parents responsibility to host. With only a month before the wedding celebration, it is time to finalize all the details. What a pleasure it is for me to plan this once in a lifetime gathering for my son and the one he will wed next month.

Yet I look at the calendar and realize that ten years ago this time we were mourning, not celebrating, as we lost Kyle on March 29, 2008.

Would you like to know what Lyndsey asked me to do at her wedding? Carry something special down the aisle…

Oh, sweet, I get flowers too! Let me ask – Wouldn’t you think the same?

No, she said, that is not what I had in mind. Would you carry Kyle’s portrait down the aisle with you?

I wasn’t going to cry – promise – yet now I may be “slinging snot” as they say.

Why would you like me to carry Kyle’s portrait down the aisle, Lyndsey?

Matt and I wouldn’t know each other if it weren’t for Kyle. He introduced us so I would like Kyle to be there to celebrate with us and to be remembered by all.

Oh how Psalm 30:11 comes to mind. I cited it in the opening of my first book, Dance With Jesus: From Grief to Grace. It simply rings true today.

You have turned my mourning into joyful dancing.
You have taken away my clothes of mourning and clothed me with joy,
Psalm 30:11 (NLT)

Thursday evening, the leader for our Table 246 women’s  group closed the group in prayer – including praying for the blogs written to honor God.

And I remembered I had not posted a blog for Friday – yet.

OOPS! I almost forgot with all the festivities.

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