I attended my niece's wedding this weekend. And like most weddings it was beautiful. However, I must add that EVERY single aspect of this wedding reflected intention: from custom made wood fired pizzas to the handwritten notes for each guest.
The vibe, and the energy interwoven throughout the night also was also connected to the young couple. Both the openness, and friendliness of all the guests without a doubt represented the pair. And the love between them? It was palatable. He loves her SO!
My two siblings and our respective families had come to support our niece as her own parents were not invited. It was more than important for each of us to be there. Both parents were absent while growing up, and were not present for a myriad of reasons. She has completely disengaged from both of them. In addition, due to unmentionable transgressions she chose to not include them in the wedding. Ironically, my siblings and I were also motherless growing up with a father who was not "father of the year," material. Her healthy choice to distance herself from her parents really resonated with us, and we were determined to show up for her.
See the parallels?
So I cried a lot that day. The waterworks started as she came down the aisle with her cousin. I cried because she was so beautiful, and I cried because her mother wasn't there. Mostly, I cried because I knew she would be more than alright.
Morna, I am tearing up reading your powerful post about the challenge of finding our roots and freeing ourselves from the past. It is a fine line that so many have to find. I am very glad you were able to support your niece as she starts this new chapter with intention and love. I wish them peace and love.
ReplyDeleteMorna, what a beautiful wedding. What a beautiful post. Your love for your niece is spot on. The title of this post has so much truth.
ReplyDeleteHow wonderful that you and your siblings were there to make your niece's day so special. Wishing the happy couple a lifetime of joy and love. arjeha
ReplyDeleteThis is such a testament to strength and intentionality - - the choices we make are so important for our mental health, and it sounds like your niece knows who her true family members are. I'm thrilled that you were there for her, and your tears of sadness at your sister's absence show that you feel the depths of love she is missing out on in your niece's life - as you said, so important that you were there to see her on her special day. It sounds like she has taken the broken pieces and made her own family mosaic just the way she loves it.
ReplyDeleteYour last paragraph is beautiful... so much emotion! I love how it is framed around "crying": "So I cried... I cried because . . . I cried because... mostly, I cried because . . ." and with that you reassure me that the beautiful bride will be all right.
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