The Wedding Day

Saturday morning dawned. Even though I didn't make it to bed till about 2 o'clock this morning I still woke just after 5 a.m. I let the dogs out then sat on the deck for a while listening to the call of the birds who's voices I have missed, the Rainbow Lorikeets and the Noisy Minors particularly. Last night I had heard fruit bats squabbling, another missed familiar sound. Sitting there awaiting the sunrise wondering how the day ahead will be, thinking of my kids here and far away wishing that today they could all be in the same place at the same time... Oh well I'll have my four oldest boys to help organize this morning. Evan and James are going to be the groomsmen and they and Rob are heading over here for lunch with Aaron and I. The photographer was coming at 2, so around 1.30 the boys got dressed. They scrub up very nicely.

My daughter Lisa and her husband Shane came to get me to take me to the wedding. I recalled how I felt earlier this year on Lisa's special day when I was half a world away from her. I was so happy to see her familiar face and get to meet my son-in-law.

Lisa and Aaron exchanging vows. "The boys" Evan, James and Aaron.

The day started out beautifully, no clouds and a light breeze but by close to the time of the ceremony it became very windy and the venue had to be changed from the beachfront to the reception room. Rob went to the park to redirect the guests. The new venue worked well, it was a good place for the ceremony as it overlooks the bay and has beautiful views. No matter where it was held all eyes would have been on Lisa, she looked so beautiful. Then came Aaron and Lisa's wedding vows, even more moving because they had written them...

Lisa, Evan, Lisa, Aaron, Sue, James and Rob. Lisa, Aaron and Sue.

The reception was really enjoyable; at my table were Karissa, Rob, Lisa, Shane, Sharon and her husband Murray. The company was good, so was the food, which was presented on a large platter on each table. The speeches were made, including a moving one by my Lisa thanking the parents of the groom and a quick thanks to the bridesmaids made by James. Then the "formal" part of the evening was done.

Aaron and Lisa cutting the cake. Uncle Rob with Taylah.

After the meal was over Aaron and Lisa posed for the photographer with fireworks in the background reflecting in the water of the bay, a favorite song of mine [Heaven] playing, an odd familiar smell of salt water added to the emotions I was feeling, watching this young couple so obviously in love, remembering my own youth, a marriage that failed, a new marriage a husband I love deeply far away on the other side of the planet, my four youngest children there with him... the only things missing that would have made the evening 100% complete... I couldn't hold back the tears and soon there was my son at my side instead of his bride's... just like when he was a little boy and would always be the first to know if I was sad, now the hand on my shoulder wasn't the soft hand of a sweet little boy, but that little boy is still within this strong man's heart and I'm sure his wife knows that side of him too.

Lisa with her husband Shane. Evan with his wife Karissa.

Sharon & Murray with their son Joshua. Mothers of the groom & bride with Joshua & Taylah.
Page 1.. My Trip to Australia Page 2.. There at last Page 3, The Wedding Day Page 4, Redcliffe
Page 5, The Gold Coast Page 6, Brisbane Page 7, My trip Home Page 8, Back in Winona