I performed a wedding yesterday, my second of the year.  The bride was one of my confirmation students ten years ago.  I was pleased to help her take this next step in her life.  Her husband inspects nuclear reactors.  The ceremony was brief, a good thing since the sanctuary was hot and stuffy; maybe someday it will be air-conditioned.  The couple said the vows and poured colored sand into a heart-shaped glass container to symbolize the joining of lives.  This is my second wedding with a sand ritual, which takes the place of a unity candle; the first time the container fell over, spilling sand on the floor.  No such mishap this time — I am batting .500 on sand rituals.  I bumbled the last words of the blessing, but that was the only stumble.  The pictures afterward took longer than usual.  We pay a youth for custodial work after weddings, and when he left it took a while for me to get things buttoned up.  I arrived at the reception late and alone.  I walked in and looked around the room, but I didn’t recognize anyone, nor were there any empty tables.  I know the bride’s parents, but I didn’t see them.  I had two cards, one from the organist and one from me; I dropped them in the card box, ate three meatballs and went home.  I was tired.  Weddings are not my favorite thing, but as weddings go this one wasn’t too hard.  I helped two young people make public promises, which if kept will bring a blessing to their lives.

(image by Nina Matthews)