it's magical

When everything is going so well, it seems incredible and charmed, with not an ounce of doubt that life is beautiful and worthwhile. That's the way it has been this month, and for all of this summer. What a wonderful world, with plans for the wedding, a happy occasion to celebrate together. The little joys shared with friends, family and coworkers are the best, leading up to the big event. I am so grateful and blessed.

Wedding of my youngest child

How quickly time has passed! He was born a tiny child three weeks after my mother passed away, and smiled from ear to ear, taking away all the sadness. Now he is bringing more joy by bringing all of our family together to celebrate again as he takes Maia as his bride. It hasn't been easy for any of our family, with so many loved ones leaving us. That is why it seems incredible that we could be allowed to feel happiness at all. My heart is full of gratitude for being given this opportunity. I want everyone to feel good about Dan and Maia, and about the possibilities life can bring all of us.
We have been planning for this weekend for months, and it is finally here. A large part of the event is the anticipation and excitement of looking ahead to what will happen. There was a shower given by Maia's grandmother in Ridgefield, and bachelor and bachelorette parties in NYC and Boston. All of this time we have been blessed with perfect weather. Next is the wedding rehearsal, followed by an outdoor dinner at my friends' terrace. Then, following the dinner, we are camping on Mount Tom Pond. This will be a special time for our immediate family to send Dan off into his new life as a married man.
In the morning, there will be lots of excitement as we leave the pond behind, and rush off to get ready for the church. The wedding is at 1 pm at St. Anthony's with Father Robert Tucker, who has seen us in our times of joy and of sorrow. He married Sarah and Tom in 2000, buried Seth in 2004, John in 2007 and Tom in 2010. We have been friends for over ten years through the Youth Ministry and weekly mass, altar flowers and many occasions in our connected lives. He is an amazing and vital link in the chain of spirituality that binds us together. Though he can be outspoken and inappropriate at times, his gifts as a pastor far outshine any indiscretions. We have been blessed to know him and all the people in our time here in Litchfield. Although we have not invited our friends from the community, they all celebrate with us in spirit. That is the greatest part of living in a town like this. People know and care about others.

It has been almost a year

Swimming at the lake every night has extended through August into September, thanks to the long stretch of hot weather this year. Tonight was even more spectacular than normal, with a threat of a hurricane to the east (Earle). Walking down the path, feeling how warm the water was,then diving in, was satisfying enough. But added to it was the fact that I was there alone, which really hasn't happened this year until tonight. Swimming farther and feeling grateful, I suddenly looked back at the western sky and saw the first flashes of brilliant reddish pink, stunning blue and sivery white as the sun went down and bathed everything in a mellow light. That spoke to me in assurance that my decision to swim each night even when it seemed so simple, had been a wise choice for this time.
I was looking at the stone bench that friends had put out on the lawn in memory of Ed Eveleth and thought that maybe another bench could be placed there for John. Not sure yet... even though we have been without him for three years now.