Day 5 - 265 -- Tradition and Celebration

Today dawned cold (1C) and rainy -- not the preferred weather for a wedding. Things had been planned indoors, so all anyone had to do was run from the car to the venue -- so not too uncomfortable. This one was held in a refurbished movie theatre that is used as a stage for musical acts and plays. Seating was comfortable and raked so that everyone could see the stage easily. Being the first day of autumn the theme was fall leaves -- maple leaves -- on boutonnieres and corsages with bridesmaids wearing burgundy. The flower girls wore gorgeous off-white dresses of tulle and satin. The groomsmen and ring bearer had deep charcoal suits and black shoes. The naval reserve padre brought levity to the services to help deal with nerves of all involved. A key memory -- aside from the vows -- was the ring bearer. He is about 5 or 6 years old. He scowled out at the audience, heaved an extremely large sigh, and was doing something akin to a tap dance during the ceremony. Needless to say he stole the show and had many in the audience laughing -- quietly, but there was a moment when I felt it might get away on me. After several minutes of the foot stomping, he paused and lifted up one foot to peer at the bottom of his shoe. This did remind me how flexible we all were some time back <grin>. He had the sole of his shoe at eye level. A few moments later when the recessional took place, all became clear as this young person walked across the stage, we could see that the sole had separated from the shoe. Now, that explained it all. By the time we saw him next at the reception and dance, he was wearing more comfortable shoes -- but still entertained us by dancing on stage once the DJs took over.

The day made me ponder tradition. Gathering family and friends together for the major life events occurs across cultures and throughout time. Solemn ceremonies with feasts make these rites of passage -- marking the major intersections of life when we enter a new pathway and leave the tried and true behind. From birth to death, such events are celebrated. Some events are more commonly large celebrations, while others may be much smaller. Regardless of the socially accepted concept of what 'should' be a large celebration, we should take time to celebrate the route changes in life. Doing this on one's own can work, but it often feels more meaningful if we involve one or more others in the process. Many events occur only once and should be marked. What have you celebrated lately?

This brought to mind a  song from a musical -- stage and movie. The plot explores what is socially and culturally accepted and what can change with time and circumstance. Enjoy!

Tradition -- Fiddler on the Roof  -- Topol