“Oh no, an invitation to a wedding,” I groaned to myself as I went through the mail.
Don’t get me wrong; I adore weddings. But in this case the bride was a student who my husband Denny had mentored at Western Washington University. I didn’t know her or anyone else who would be there.
Strengthening the “no” in my head was the wedding date – July 28, prime time to be home on Samish Island, savoring those all-too-rare Pacific Northwest summer days. Although I clearly preferred to stay home I knew my husband would want to go and I’d be going too.
So we RSVP’d “yes” and six weeks later, on a perfect Island summer day, got in the car and drove nearly 2 hours to the wedding.
Then everything changed for me.
As our car pulled up I spotted the bride, wrapped in a forest green, sparkling sari. Stunning!
I immediately knew this was going to be unlike any wedding I’d ever attended. The bride is partly Indian and I was in for a cultural treat.
Warmth and Beauty
Family members, pleased and honored “the mentor” had come, welcomed us warmly.
On the patio, 15-20 women, dressed in colorful saris, stood out like glittering jewels. Their saris in turquoise, red, blue, pink, and green sparkled with beads and were gauzy, flowing, and feminine. Ornate henna patterns decorated their hands and arms. No boring black wedding here! These women were a feast for my eyes.
Savory Food
Dinner was a feast of a different sort. An extravaganza of tasty Indian dishes. So many dishes that even taking a teensy spoon-size portion of each, I filled my plate before I was half-way through the buffet line.
Good People and Tangible Love
We met warm and interesting people who were from or lived in India, Kenya, Germany, and around the U.S.
And in the midst of all this was love. Love so palpable I felt as though I could touch it in the air. The bride and her father. The bride and her younger sister. Cousins. Mothers. Grandmothers. Their strong love for each other showed on their faces, in their touches, and with the words they said.
Love was everywhere. I was moved by it, filled with it just by being near it, and honored to have been included in this special evening.
A Big Yes
After hours filled with wondrous experiences, we headed home. I was thoroughly delighted I’d come. Thank goodness my initial “no” response became a “yes” to the invitation and a very big “yes” to a memorable evening.
Lessons Learned
The lesson for me (and perhaps for you too?) Well, two lessons actually:
1) Opportunities to savor life can show up in unexpected places.
2) Say “yes” more often.
What about you?Are you savoring the unexpected pleasures? Is it time for you to say “yes” more often? Tell us in Comments below.
{ 2 comments… read them below or add one }
Bonnie,
What a wonderful experience for you! I totally understand what the message of your post was trying to relate. Sometimes we get so wrapped up in our lives that we forget to just let go of the ordinary we are so used to. Recently I was trying to find excuses why I shouldn’t go visit my Mother who lives in an assisted living facility. Too tired, too busy, too “whatever”. I did go after battling with the little “angel” and “devil” on my shoulders. Much to my surprise I was blessed with so much just by that visit. I enjoyed my visit of course with my mother, which I always do, but unexpectly ran into an ex co-worker who mentored me, many many years ago. She is now a resident of the same facility. She is still bright, active, and remembered me! What a joyous trip down memory lane! I guess the moral here is to step out of your comfort zone, you never know what will happen!
It wasa wonderful experience, De De! Thanks for sharing your story. This is a good reminder for many of us.