I was pleasantly surprised when a “save the date” announcement arrived, then quite delighted when the actual invitation came for Linda and Paul’s celebration of their golden wedding anniversary with a party to mark the occasion. It was mind-boggling to realize that 50 years have passed by!
Linda and I are first cousins. Our mothers were sisters. I was a bridesmaid in her wedding.
I was hoping that we would be able to attend. Tom and I had a few challenges which needed to be met before we could commit. At long last, that which needed to be was finished, rendering me pleased as punch to pack up the car and head to Green Bay, Wisconsin in June.
I was surprised and felt special when I was asked to be a bridesmaid. A shy, bookish and awkward teenage girl who had never worn a long gown or attended more than a handful of weddings, I was nervous and excited – and I felt the twinges of an awakening in the woman I would eventually become. I realized, much later in life, what a gift I was given in being asked to “stand up” for Linda’s wedding. Young and naive, I had no idea of what to do, but, with my mother’s guidance and the kindness of all, the wedding remains a very sweet moment in time for me. Indeed, Linda and Paul’s wedding has been a lasting example to me of including younger family members in joyous times. In asking me to attend her wedding, Linda was also honoring my mother, her Aunt Violet.
The limbs and roots of family trees are so much a part of who we are and what we become. On reflection, the wedding also gave me warm remnants of joy to hold on to just two years later when my father passed away.
What a beautiful day the anniversary celebration was, with a splendid gathering of Linda and Paul’s children, grandchildren, brother, cousins – and Linda’s childhood friends. Everyone chatted, caught up, looked back, laughed and shed a sigh or a tear for those no longer with us; what family does when it gathers together after so many years. This golden anniversary celebration was as much fun as it was a balm for my soul. It was an honor to share Linda and Paul’s anniversary and a moment in time in which I realized that the long ago gift of being asked was given to me, once again, in the invitation to join in the celebration, leaving me with a thankful heart.
Here I am, a teenager, at Linda and Paul’s wedding. I have the sweetest memory of their wedding ceremony in a heavenly little church in the countryside and I wish them many more years together.
I’m so happy to hear you were able to attend your cousin’s 50th wedding anniversary celebration, Penny. What a milestone to the happy couple…congratulations!
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Thank you, Jill – and yes it was. We were so happy to be able to attend.
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So many sweet, golden memories, Penny! Where do the years go? I’m so happy that you and Tom were able to celebrate with everyone in Green Bay. Family gatherings are such important parts of our stories! 💗
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I find myself wondering where the years have gone more and more, Dawn. I guess that comes naturally with aging. I was so happy we were able to attend, even happier once we were there. Tom and I actually packed in a lot in those few days, making it to up to Egg Harbor for a nice dinner and (shhh, don’t tell anyone) we checked out Lambeau Field as well. It was only a few miles from where we were staying. 🙂 Indeed, yes; family gatherings are so very important.
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Penny, what a beautiful and heart-warming story, about the endurance of love, family ties, and what really matters in life. Thank you.
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Oh, Juliet, thank YOU! I feel fortunate in being included and in being able to attend this celebration.
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How lovely to be able to revisit such a wonderful memory. Fifty years! Wow. You may have felt awkward, but you certainly didn’t look like it. What a joy!
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Amazing, isn’t it Janet? What a blessing to be able to share this anniversary with Linda and Paul. Joy! Indeed it was – and is. Thank you.
(You know how graceful I can be (haha) – what you don’t see in the photo is the newly formed scab on my knee under that gown, which happened when I stumbled after having my hair done earlier in the morning. I was hoping it didn’t show)
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What a lovely remembrance, Penny. Love that photo!
One of the pastors at my church celebrated his fiftieth anniversary by taking his whole family to Hawaii.
When my parents celebrated their fiftieth, my brothers and sisters-in-law threw a party for them. 🙂
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Thank you, L. Marie. I really am fortunate in having good memories, this being one of them, now twice over.
What a wonderful way for your pastor to celebrate a golden anniversary. Your pastor and family will have memories that will last through generations.
How thoughtful of your family to have thrown a party for your parent’s 50th anniversary. Our own recent celebrations (another one will be posted soon) and now your comment here becomes a clarion call to me make the effort to have more gatherings. Once more, thank you!
Enjoy what looks to be a glorious, if extremely humid, day! 🙂
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What wonderful memories for you! So pretty!
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Thank you, Jennifer. They are wonderful memories, indeed (both old AND new ones).
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What a lovely post. Some of my favorites of yours are when you talk about your family 🙂 I’m happy you were able to get to this celebration and enjoy the day!
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It meant a great deal to me to be able to attend – I was so grateful I was able to. Thank you, Janet. I have another one sitting in abeyance as I tweak it. 🙂
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I’m so glad you were able to attend. Sharing old memories and making new ones — perfect. And a great reminder about the importance of including teenagers in important occasions.
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Thank you, Sallie. It was such a nice time and I was so grateful to be included. Yes. Perfect.
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What a wonderful occasion to have marked a 50th anniversary with a dear cousin, especially when you were a part of the original celebration! You’ve now added to those memories with this joyful occasion and in some ways it’s even more precious when you look around and see the generations that are represented, “the limbs and roots of the family tree.” That’s such beautiful imagery, Penny. We do miss those that are no longer with us for the family photo, but they are certainly well represented when you look around the gathering. I do relate to the combination of laughter and tears. I’m just delighted you were able to make the trip, my friend. I’m sure you smile every time you think back on the lovely time!
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It truly was a wonderful occasion, Debra, and I was so pleased to be invited as well as able to attend. Their children are delightful adults. I was so impressed by each one in turn as that they took the time to talk with us. Not just a hi, how are you, mind you, but, good, long conversations.
I am smiling right now as I comment, Debra, with a warm glow deep inside as I once again recall this anniversary – a highlight of my summer. Thank you, Debra.
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Dear Penny, what a wonderful experience–to celebrate with a couple whom you’ve known all these years. And also to celebrate with a loved cousin who chose you to be in her wedding. How exciting that must have been 50 years ago. Does it seem to you that time used to go slowly, leisurely and now it’s fleeting? Peace.
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It is wonderful, indeed, Dee. It was quite exciting for me all those years ago and how fortunate to be able to celebrate once again. Time did seem to go more slowly, Dee. Now, the moments, days, years are flying by. Today was a slower moving day, however, with electronics/social media off, weather pleasant . . . I think that’s a hint for me to turn things off. 🙂 Peace to you as well, Dee.
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