Weddings bring out the best and worst in people.
Yesterday my daughter, Claire, 28, was gracious with everyone, showed good manners, and was emotional during her wedding ceremony. She cried with joy.
Growing up, Claire hated it when I nagged her to close her mouth while chewing, put her napkin on her lap, and sit up straight. “I don’t believe in napkins,” Claire told me at age 20. “I use paper towels.”
So, I was amused to see Claire at the head table: chewing with her mouth closed, sitting straight, using good table manners, delicately patting her mouth with a cloth napkin, and putting the napkin on her lap. Too funny! Claire listened, after all.
Claire’s dad was an hour late for family pictures, grandstanded, and tried to make it about him. Everyone stood around waiting for him. Using a microphone, Terry talked about himself, insulted millennials (90% of the guests), and forgot to give the toast. He was also cruel to me. Stick in the knife and twist. I did not reply and walked away. Terry is becoming more like his narcissistic mother.
Claire has over 50 friends who love her. It was fun meeting her friends. I felt overjoyed to talk with members of Terry’s family whom I haven’t seen in 20 years. They were happy to see me and remembered my laugh! We had a great time.
“Your mannerisms, intensity, inflection and the way you tell stories are exactly like Claire's!” four people told me. “You both make me feel I was there.” I was amazed.
I was the only person who brought a warm coat. Temperatures dropped into the 30s after dark. The wedding, dinner and reception were outdoors at a winery.
"Just use your mind to stop feeling cold," a young lady said. I was shivering hard. "Mental concentration does not prevent hypothermia," I replied. "I'm going to get my coat."
Today I felt like I was beaten by a 2x4. Must have been tense yesterday. I didn't drink alcohol because I had an hour-long drive home in the dark with sharp curves. Drained, I left at 8:30 p.m. as young people partied on.
Claire’s wedding was touching, simple and beautiful. My tears welled up when Claire walked down the aisle.
What an emotional roller-coaster! I'm going to try to focus on the positive.