I met her mother, B (as she referred to herself) 51 years ago, at college in Toronto. She and I had great times - laughter and serious times. Her mother would help anyone in need - any person, any animal. Her biggest salvation - literally - was probably a horse named Paddington, and what a beauty he was. There was always a dog too, of course.
If B was your friend, you hardly needed another. There was the angel she promised her friend in the hospital, too sick to think about anything else. Do you know you can courier a glass angel door to door, 1650 miles in less than 24 hours? Well, you can - if you want to or need to. Do you know that National Film Board of Canada will ship to anywhere? B knew that and she wanted me to watch a program she had seen.
Before I met her mother, B, I knew her father. A group of us loved to have parties and enjoyed playing tennis. Not gonna tell you anymore about her father. He is quiet and to the point, a great friend who calls me an "old friend" and gets away with it.
Kinda seemed back then that we probably would never grow up . . . guess that is what our parents thought.
You had to know her mother and her grandmother to truly appreciate This Bride. That will be her identity for this blog.
Her grandmother was petite and I was always taken with how great she looked at 8:30 in the morning when she answered her front door. She would be wearing a shirtwaist dress and lipstick and offering me her latest find, a product called Coffee Rich that made your coffee literally sing with flavor. She's gone now too.
On a night in September after a Clint Black concert, we got the word that B had had a stroke. That was when I cried and screamed and carried on. How could that happen to B? After she was settled in at the hospital and tests were run, it got worse. B also had cancer. I think that is one of the saddest times of my adult life.
Here was this terrific gal who would do anything for me, for you, for someone she did not even know. Here was this gal who didn't care about fancy jewelry, make-up, pretense of any kind.
So, it is with honor and pride that I (with Hubby, of course) will watch This Bride marry a handsome, wonderful, charming and light-hearted man next week.
She is herself, her mother, her grandmother, a special person whom I am honored to know.
Speaking of honor, This Bride has called Hubby and me FAMILY! Wow!
If you have been following the weddings Hubby and I have been going to over the past year and if you also know I have lost weight during this time, then perhaps you are wondering, "So, what is Martha wearing to this special event?"
Well, I will wear the green dress. Yes, I feel very comfortable in the green dress. And when you are being treated like royalty, it is good to feel comfortable!
Hey - you - "This Bride" - you will be so beautiful and I will see not only you, but your Mother, but your Grandmother that day.
Sometimes - if we sit back and look at our lives - we see how truly blessed we have been.
May "This Bride" have a beautiful wedding, a fine marriage and may she carry on all those traits that made these women such good friends to everyone they knew.
Love you, "This Bride"!
