Dianne Miley
Of Weddings & Weather...

Today I'm waxing poetic with lessons on life, making adjustments, and going with the flow. My daughter got engaged last Christmas. For nine months, we talked about her wedding day.
We had a lovely wedding planned.
Our daughter and her fiance,
With some help from their parents,
Spent nine months of researching
All wedding variants.
Visiting venues,
Choosing flowers and food,
Selecting decor
To set the right mood.
Making decisions,
Hashing it out,
Paying deposits
With nary a shout.
Schedules, time lines,
And everyone in place --
Our daughter and son
Organized like an ace!
It all came together --
The music, the tree.
But then -- two days out --
Came the news on TV.
Hurricane Irma
Was headed our way.
Pending mandatory evacuation
On the wedding day!
We scurried and scrambled
Postponed and parlayed.
Nine months of planning
Were changed in a day!
Hasty rescheduling
Was done in two hours.
We thanked our Lord
For His miraculous powers!
We weren't going to cancel
The wedding was set.
We moved it all up a day,
Much as we could get.
We never heard a grumble.
We never saw a tear.
We all just worked together
In the face of our fear.
A hurricane was coming.
We'd evacuate soon.
But now, let's get them married --
Our bride and our groom!
The beautiful couple
Wed the next night
So out of town guests
Could catch an earlier flight.
The calm before the storm
Provided gorgeous weather.
The breeze and the mood
Were light as a feather.
We hummed the wedding march
As Dad walked her down the aisle.
In ruffles and sneakers,
Our bride wore a smile!
Well, Gram forgot her Bible
And we left the rings behind,
But cheat sheets and family rings
Filled in just fine.
Grandma read the verses
And Mom said the prayer,
A special friend officiated
The impromptu affair.
Our bride and groom both said "I do,"
Happy as can be!
Whether at the marsh shore
Or an angel oak tree.
The storm forced some changes
To the best laid plans.
Helping us remember
We're all in God's hands.
We focused on what's important --
The union of these two.
The details didn't matter
When all was done and through.
God was on that breezy shore
Looking down in love,
Blessing Paul and Melissa
With "son" shine from above.
God had a lovely wedding planned.
Amen & Amen!