Although a wedding is supposed to be the happiest day of your life, the planning and preparation before the big day can be arduous and stressful.
When attending to Miriam in her room in residential care, I noticed a framed picture on the wall of her wedding day to her beloved Charles. It was glamorous; had I not known better, I would have thought it depicted a famous Hollywood couple on their special day.
Miriam looked at me and smirked, “You know I didn’t always look like this.” I smiled and replied that she hadn’t changed a bit, which made her smile. She then quipped that I was either delusional or needed an eye exam. Her sharp sense of humour kept us on our toes, and we never knew what she’d say next.
She beckoned me to sit down and began to tell the tale of how her wedding day nearly never happened. Everything conceivable happened that could have prevented it. Miriam told me the story of her special day, saying, “It was a spring wedding, and all was going to plan until the week before the big day.”
Unfortunately, the priest who was to officiate at the wedding suffered a major heart attack and was unable to conduct the service; luckily, another priest was able to step in and take over.
Miriam had initially selected her favourite flowers for her bouquet, but the unusually severe heat had destroyed the blooms, and they were no longer available. Thankfully, her florist was very accommodating, and she was pleased with the final arrangement.
The bucks’ night Charles had attended the evening before the wedding had been a lively affair. His best man ended up violently ill the next day and could barely stand during the ceremony.
When Miriam stepped into her wedding dress on the morning of the wedding, her maid of honour accidentally stood on the train, and the dress tore. Fortunately, one of her bridesmaids was a seamstress and quickly made the necessary invisible repair to the dress.
Miriam was understandably anxious about the warning signs that the wedding could be a disaster. Luckily, she trusted her instincts and deep love for Charles and resolved that this would be the happiest day of her life so far.
She told me she took a deep breath, smiled at the women surrounding her, fussing over her hair, makeup, and dress, and said, “The show will go on!”
As the torrential rain poured outside, it seemed like a waterfall had opened up in the heavens. By midday, the rain had stopped, and the sun came out just minutes before the ceremony; a rainbow appeared above the church, and Miriam knew that everything would be all right.
The wedding ceremony was a wonderful occasion, with everyone admiring Miriam and the elegance of her dress, and with no more hitches. All the guests conveyed congratulations and good wishes for the happy couple.
Miriam and Charles bid farewell to their family and friends, throwing the bouquet over Miriam’s shoulder as her younger sister eagerly caught it.
Little did they know the potential disaster that awaited them as they were driven away to the train station, ready to embark on their week-long honeymoon in the picturesque Katoomba, surrounded by the stunning scenery of the Blue Mountains.
The car pulled into the train station, and Miriam noticed a crowd outside the entrance. The couple stepped out into the forecourt as Joe, the station master, approached them with some unfortunate news.
The local train to Sydney had been delayed, which meant they would miss their connection to Katoomba. Joe quickly telephoned Sydney Central Station to explain their predicament, and they agreed to hold the Katoomba train until their arrival. Miriam couldn’t help but wonder how such a thing would never happen today.
Miriam’s face lit up as she recalled her honeymoon. With a giggle, she added that nine months later, she gave birth to their eldest son, Jonathan. She squeezed my hand tightly, a radiant smile on her face, and thanked me for allowing her to relive that special day in her mind’s eye.
Adding that they had fifty-nine happy years together and were blessed with four sons, she knew they belonged together.
As I walked away, I caught a glimpse of Miriam, her eyes closed, lost in the cherished memories of her wedding day.
Miriam’s day was infused with a touch of nostalgia, a reminder of the profound impact memories can have on our lives.
Another beautiful story Michael, no wonder Miriam was apprehensive with all that was sent to try her. She went with her instincts tho and carried on with all those happy family years.
A beautiful story about how love can overcome any obstacle. Also the power of nostalgia and reminiscence. Thanks for sharing Michael!