Unexpected Surprises

I found these two items today, and they both made me laugh. This first picture (which is in two parts because it was too big to fit on the scanner) is from high school. The music department, which consisted of a very small marching band and a choir, went to a Fiesta-Val in Williamsburg, Virginia, for some sort of contest. What I remember most is staying up all night and trying to scare our director. We may have also sang in a really old church with amazing acoustics. 

 

I temporarily misplaced a CD from an audio book I borrowed from the library. While I was searching all the nooks and crannies of my car today, I found this little gem. I thought about using it until I checked the expiration date!

Singled Out

I recently attended the wedding of some dear friends. The ceremony beautifully reflected the couple, and the reception was just the right mix of tradition and fresh ideas. One of the unique aspects of the reception was the food. The wedding was a morning event, and so the foods they chose to serve at the reception were breakfast items. (It was delicious!) On the other hand,  the traditional features of the reception included the bouquet toss. It was at that point I excused myself to the ladies' room.

I hate the bouquet toss.

I avoid it at all costs.

Even Especially when someone is calling my name, trying to get me to join in the "fun".

When I returned from hiding in using the  ladies' room, my friend Jake felt the need to explore my reasons for avoiding this very traditional part of weddings. I tried to excuse his question by saying I just don't care for the tradition. Unfortunately, he's known me for a long time and didn't buy my bogus answer. He wanted to know why I don't like to participate. Since I value transparency in others, I bit the bullet and told him my reason: it makes me feel singled out. When I was 20 being single was the rule, not the exception. It was a fun tradition back then. Now that I'm 27, it's not fun to stand among a (sometimes very small) group of teenagers and spinsters in front of friends and strangers alike just to hope I catch the bride's bouquet. And I also told him, I just don't like it. Even though he wasn't satisfied with my answer, he let the conversation go.

What I wish I could have verbalized to Jake is that my problem with the bouquet toss is more complicated than that. Ultimately I don't like the bouquet toss because it singles me. But I might be able to handle just being different. What really bothers me is that the bouquet toss singles me out for something I want desperately to change. I want to get married. I want to fall in love. I want to spend the rest of my life with my soul mate. And when I stand in front of a crowd of people for this particular societal tradition, I feel I'm advertising that at 27 I'm still single. But on top of that, I have to admit to myself that I'm still waiting for God to grant the greatest desire of my heart.

Prayer for Today

Jesus, you're in control.

You hold my future.

You know my heart.

I submit to You.

Counting My Blessings: Legacy of Commitment

This year both of my grandparents are celebrating 50 years of marriage. They've been together for a looooonnnnggg time. I haven't ever asked them, but I imagine there were times over the years they felt like throwing the towel in. Marriage isn't easy, but they stuck with it. The commitment they have to their spouses is an incredible example for their children, grandchildren, and great grandchildren. I hope some day I can follow in their footsteps.

Both of these pictures are a few years old, but I don't have either of their 50th wedding anniversary pictures at my house to scan. I'll have to update the pictures when I get my hands on the official pics.The top picture is of my paternal grandparents, Jim and Barb Smith. It was taken the Christmas before they moved to Missouri. The bottom picture is of my mom's parents, Don and Phyllis Myers. It was taken on Father's Day in 2005.

Today's Holiday: Father's Day

The third Sunday in June is set aside as the day to honor fathers everywhere. Some people purchase gifts, others go out to eat, and still others have family traditions for this special day. We celebrate by spending time with extended family. For as long as I have been alive my mom's entire family has gathered at my grandparents' house for a cookout. That means my dad gets to celebrate with his in-laws every year. (Don't feel too badly for him. I think he probably golfs before we head over.)

Remember how I mentioned last month that I stink at giving gifts? My lucky dad didn't get a gift for Father's Day. I couldn't think of anything to get him after I bought his birthday present earlier this month.

How do you celebrate Father's Day? What traditions do you have or would you like to start?

Family

I spent a long weekend in Missouri celebrating the 50th anniversary of my paternal grandparents. Both of my dad's brothers and their wives were there. Unfortunately only four of the seven grandchildren could be there, but I, selfishly, kind of liked it that way. I got to be the favorite older cousin of the weekend since I was the only older one there. My dad's family doesn't get together often (to be honest, we aren't that close), so it was a blessing for me to spend so much time with relatives I rarely see. I especially liked having my younger cousins all to myself. They are absolutely hilarious, a wee bit exasperating, and incredibly fun. Here is a picture of my grandparents and their offspring who were there. My brother and cousins Hillary and JJ, along with Hillary's husband Jake, weren't able to make it, so they are missing from our family photo.

**If you click on the picture, it will enlarge and you can see that my mom and I are looking at Ben. He inconspicuously found a way to accessorize during our photo shoot.

Question

Someone asked me a pointed question today. It got me thinking. Now I'm asking myself this question all over again. If you think you might know, I encourage you to let me in on the secret.