Nuptials and Late Bloomers
On July 19th of this year, after eleven short years of testing the compatibility waters, Cameron Keys and I tied the knot. This event was fabulous and noteworthy for a number of reasons. Here are ten:
1. I will hereafter be able to recall my license plate (until it changes of course), which includes the numbers 719, three numerals which, for whatever reason, I’ve never been able to remember. But now, I can!
2. I was physically, emotionally, psychologically and spiritually present and accounted for pretty much the entire ceremony and celebration. I am awash in gratitude for this hard won miracle, the result of years of sobriety and therapy.
3. Cameron and I executed our “Soul Train” dance number without maiming each other or flaming out publicly!
4. I’ve once again proven that it’s never too late to bloom: just call me the poster girl for hope springing eternal!
5. The dark side of marrying for a second time (meaning the first one either failed or was tragically cut short – the former in my case) was far outweighed by the joy of having all my children and grandchildren participate, proof of how rich, full, and inclusive my world has become.
6. First Dancing to our friend Annie Reznik’s goosebump-inducing version of Ray Lamontagne’s “Shelter Me,” as the world fell away and Cameron’s and my heart literally melted into one gooey, rich bittersweet love-pudding.
7. My heart’s commitment to this marvelous man didn’t change, only got verified and legalized.
8. I got to wear the Best. Dress. Ever.
9. …in order to marry the Best. Man. Ever. (see picture)
10. When my writers’ group threw me an engagement party, I told them I had enough stuff – that what I wanted more than anything was for them to find meaningful poems or prose concerning marriage. One result, from my brilliant writer- and poet- friend Barbara Sweeney, was this prose-poem “Late,” by Cecilia Wolloch. I’m sorry, but really? Did Ms. Wolloch climb into my brain and life when I wasn’t looking? “Late” says it all, and more beautifully than I ever could have, (which is why I included it as a reading in the ceremony.) See if you agree:
LATE by Cecilia Wolloch
Had I met you when I was a girl, all bony laughter and ragged sighs, I would have fallen under your shadow, knelt in the grass, been your weed, your bride. And had I met you when I was another man’s wife—still young, hair full of flame—I’d have taken the spell for a sign. I’d have been jewel to your thief, little sin, and never forgiven myself for that kiss. Or had I met you in the early wind of my solitude, I might have snapped. Cracked like that naked branch I swung from all those aching, brilliant nights. Instead, you came late, you came after I’d made myself into harbor and chalice and wick. More like the ashes than any warm hearth. More like a widow than wanton, beloved. And you lifted me over the wall of the garden and carried me back to my life.