Memories...
I opened this blog some time back, and after an initial test to make sure I knew how it worked, I sat back and thought, what do I want to record and why would I record it? The things that are really interesting are deep thoughts to me, and many of those are deep for a reason, so their not coming out in a public blog... Those I share with my wife.. So I just sat back and read what other people wrote..
Then last night as I was trying to fall asleep I began to go back in my mind to remember what I could remember... And I thought.. How about recording those memories.. and that's what this blog will be, the memories of a life. I have had some great moments, and many that I regret... We'll see what comes out first...
What's one of my best memories? I remember some of the the events around my getting married, and there's much of it I can't remember. It was some 21+ years ago. My wife to be and I had met at college and had a long engagement, and two of my high school friends had come in from North Bay, Ontario. It's a long way from Ontario to Oklahoma and Steve Morton and Mike Barnard had come down to see me married off in fine fashion.
Most of the week was a blur. I remember sitting on the back porch of my folks' country home the days before the wedding, talking and watching the cats catch and eat the little lizards. And the night before the preacher seemed so nervous. Virginia and I were both enjoying the event. Virginia's dad was great, and her mom was a basket-case. My best man was wild, and a couple of days before the wedding we went to Virginia's house. Virginia's mom was stressing out big time, and Mike (my best man) was pretty clueless about her state. He picked up her little lap dog and put it in the freezer as a joke... I thought Virginia's mom was going to come unglued on the spot. Virginia's dad I think saved the day. Then we went outside and Veta (V's mom) got in the car to start it and Mike jumps up on the bumper and starts rocking the car up and down.. If veta could have killed him with laser rays from her eyes she'd have melted the glass and every atom between her and Mike ... Mike I don't think ever got it.
The big day came and I remember getting ready with my brother, Mike, and a couple of friends in the preacher's room at the front of the church. We took all the pics before the ceremony to speed up the reception and that morning I didn't see many people, only my folks and a few friends. I remember the music was so good. A family who were friends of Virginia's sang acapella gospel songs appropriate for a wedding. And when we finished the vows the preacher forgot to say we could kiss each other, so we had to adlib it... Wasn't getting cheated out of that moment!
Off to the old Cultural center for the reception. The line was long but fun. Everyone was in such a good mood and when I cut the cake and jammed it into Virginia's mouth it was such a laugh. Too soon, or not soon enough depending on which way I was feeling it was time to go.. We had to make an appearance at Veta's house to open a few gifts. We did and I still remember sitting on the couch opening gifts and thinking about the drive over to Tulsa. Finally, we headed south out of Ponca City... I remember driving across the tracks, looking out over the open plains and just feeling ecstatic. We did it! We were married and off to our own life. What a glorious moment.
Although it's 21 years later, I still remember that feeling of leaving, driving away in Virginia's car. Free, on our own, married, and just so excited about the future... And what a future it's been.. but that's another memory for another blog...
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