Sunday, May 29, 2022

Friday May 27th, 1972 was the day Larry & I got married. He was 24, I was 21. We met in August ‘69. He was a kinesiology student, & I was working at Shell Canada (when $3.75/hr was a decent wage). Hah! Our dating almost never cost money. Gathering with friends & SFU gang to sing folk songs, with Larry playing guitar, was what we loved doing. (BTW, he was a hunkasaurus).  Sometimes we shared a bottle of Baby Duck or Mateus if we were splurging.

Now it’s 50 years as Mr. & Mrs. Of course we’d celebrate, but after not being sure of how or if we would/could celebrate, its been coming together beautifully. Friday our Cursillo group hosted a party for us. Some came in person & some via zoom. It turned out to be like a ‘newly-wed game’. Lots of fun, & not too many surprises comparing Larry’s & my answers.

On Tuesday, Larry mentioned to Fr. James at our church, that it was our 50th. He said we had to celebrate with the community to witness to our commitment as a married couple. We did that today at Mass. It wasn’t renewing our vows, as he said a vow is a vow, but we renewed our commitment to the vows we made to each other & God, on our wedding day. Fr. James told us to go ahead with a small gathering in the parish centre afterward. So, fast track party planning: cupcakes, pizza & samosas, a few pretty balloon clusters, and a slide show, all came together in a few days. The set-up/decorating/hospitality ‘team’ today, just happened, as it always does when we’re together with our church ‘family’. My sister Erin & John came from Tsawwassen, which was a gift for sure. There were 40 of us and it was super relaxed. Thanks so much to the busy bees who made it all come together, including 14 yr. old Emily who made 2 doz. of the beautiful cupcakes. There were a few leftovers, which the youth group in the parking lot, were more than excited to take.

We had asked for no gifts, but if anyone wished, they could contribute to funds we are sending to aid Ukrainian refugees & orphans. Thank you to all who contributed.

Our family gathering is TBA. First the weather’s been the pits for planning a sunny event, and more serious, is that Covid has been attacking family members. So, it will be, when it will be! We really hope that this special occasion provides an opportunity for the mix of generations to encounter each other in a fun and loving way, creating fond memories.

You know the expression “I’m good & tired”? Well, I’m very good, and very tired! We have wonderful memories of the past week that will certainly be a bright spot to think of on any ‘cloudy’ day that may come.  God bless you!