Adventure 279: Swamp Living/Post D

A Golden Promise.

I'm pretty sure part of every bride's apparel includes something borrowed, something new, something old, something blue, which brings me to the word of the day: TRADITION. The ceremony itself carries certain traditions, but about to be weds stamp their impending union with traditions of their own. The blend makes for a strong bond of old and new. Today, Aunt Karen Franz broke out a golden pin that was shaped from her great grandmother Goossen's wedding band. Barely visible on its backside is the inscription: July 6, 1887. It has been tradition for every Wiebe/Friesen bride to wear this pin as something old. My wife Judy wore it as did her three sisters: Karen, Arlene, and Jane. Their mother, Dorothy wore it, as did her grand daughter, Kim (Kate's older sister). Kate will wear it, and Kara would have worn it (Kirk's wife Shannon, too), if grandma Dorothy hadn't still been living. As it was, she carried the tradition for those two. Tradition, a good thing, serves to validate not just the past, but also helps lay the foundation for the future. Equally important, couples build their own traditions. Scott and Kate, who have Mexican food every Wednesday (Tacos or Tamales) have chosen to serve Tamales for their rehearsal dinner. They also share Saturday morning breakfast. And they will enjoy a traditional wedding cake (Made all the more special since Kim will create it) and they likely will share the first dance. They've also chosen to emphasize their marriage ceremony within a worship service, which, for them, honors their love of God above the love they share for each other. They feel that their wedding should be something that happens as praise. In that light, they've chosen traditional hymns: 'Great God We Sing; 'Help Us To Help Each Other; 'Now Thank We All Our God'. They've also chosen to include a parental blessing, and to share communion with all in attendance. It's fitting that they're beginning their life together in a shared direction. It's also nice that they're so strongly committed because the wind is beginning to blow relatives in like tumbleweeds against a rancher's fence.  There are aunties on every stool and uncles on every couch. Scott's parents arrive today and Kim just rolled in from Wisconsin. The air is literally gathering like a Kansas tornado, except there is little fear of destruction. Instead, there is just a whirlwind of well intended activity and shared excitement. Without doubt standing on  time honored traditions helps build the new, and this makes life good, especially today.

The latest in the line of Wiebe/Friesen brides.

                  July 6, 1887

Aunties, aunties everywhere, and even more on the way, every one eager to share Kate's day.