My favorite poet is getting married in Paris next Friday. We are leaving this weekend to help him celebrate this momentous occasion. Parents often fantasize about the future of their children, and I confess I’m no different. However, when he was finishing the university, I never dreamt that he would decide to settle in Paris and find a bride in the City of Lights. She’s a wonderful young woman; intelligent, attractive, down to earth, but most importantly – she makes him happy. Now we will have the opportunity to see a melding of cultures and lives. There’s something touching and poignant about two young people at the threshhold of their futures together. You can’t but help remember how you were in the same stage of your own life. You want to pass on all the wisdom and experience you had acquired over the years, and realize this is not possible.
You’ve done all you can. Your child is grown, and you can only hope that that he will remain as happy in the future as he appears to be today. You wish for the Fates to be kind to him, and for he and his bride to have a wonderful life together. With some reluctance, you accept his change of allegiance. After all, you did the same. With nostalgia, you recall those highlights from his childhood – taking his first steps into the ocean, his sitting on your shoulders as you hiked up the mountain, his curly blond head coming down the slopes at the end of his ski run. You know he will always remember the special times you have shared; you also realize things will never be the same again.
The wedding will be a small, private, family affair. I’m glad this is the kind of ceremony they have chosen for themselves. I feel it’s unfortunate that the wedding industry and social one upmanship has created some of the three ring circuses we have all witnessed. The joining of two lives is a cause for celebration, but the festivities should not overshadow the reason for the event. We will respect the privacy of the newlyweds, but I promise to post some Paris photos upon our return. Until then, dear bloggers, be well.
Medico Musings 
Thanks for the comment! I had to come check out your book list after you mentioned it. I\’m also a fan of the Namesake and definitely Kingsolver. I burned through all her books in a couple months a few years ago. It might be time to reread a couple actually. Now that I\’ve stopped by I\’ve also added a couple to my list as well…. As if there were room for more!
Congrats to your Favorite Poet and his new bride to be. This was a beautiful post about your son… Maybe soom you will have another little blonde haired curley kid on your shoulders. I have 4 of them and they act and look just like their parents did at that age…
Best wishes to all who wed. 🙂 LG
Hello ……I allowed to visit your space….As I never leave without leaving of track I wish you a pleasant journee and a good weekend amites of France olive tree
Hi Jorge,
Have a wonderful time in Paris – a wedding in Paris and of one\’s only son – does it get any better?
I loved this post and your remembrances of your son – I can hear your pride and hopes and, yes, your fears. Jorge, in the end we do not lose our children to their own lives. You are correct, it is different and sometimes that difference is even better. You, my friend, are in for a great adventure.
Have fun!
Betty
Hello I come to thank you for your visit to me….I wish you a debut check of week friendly kisses olive tree has bientot
Jorge, How wonderful for your son and his bride. Amazing that they are getting married on the same day as my daughter and her groom. I agree with all you wrote… My daughter is trying to have a small SIMPLE wedding…. My wishes to your family as you add the new daughter.. hugs to all, lottiemae
All my best wishes to you, your poet and his beautiful bride! I can\’t wait to hear the details of this blissful Parisian occaision~
That\’s great news, Jorge…but bittersweet, sad and poignant as a parent, too. He\’s wise beyond his years to be doing a small wedding – that IS exactly how weddings should be – elope to the honeymoon locale – invite the closest of friends and family and keep it intimate and real.Enjoy your time in gay Paris. Your fave poet is blessed to have a dad who will speak eloquently and reverently about him during the toast on his special day.
Good Morning Jorge,
This is wonderful news. Congrats to your son and his bride-to-be. Will be anxious to see some of the beautiful photos at such a festive. loving occasion. The very best to you and your family.
Until next time..Keep Smiling.
~*~Paula~*~
Congratulations to your son and his new bride. I hope you have a wonderful trip. Take care, and I look forward to your sharing what you feel is appropriate.
You know, I sometimes catch myself wondering about your professional life. You are a fantastic writer, and I always enjoy stopping by your space. You write about important things, and you have an amazing ability to cut to the heart of the matter and touch the human soul.
Cheers,
D
Love is in the air, Jorge…
Many, many good wishes for your favorite poet and his bride s they set out on the journey together.
May the day be good and bright, and filled ith love, happiness and optimism.
And rest assured that you have indeed given the blessing of strong roots; now you must give the further gift of wings…
But you already know this…
Enjoy the wonderful day with yoiur family, my friend, and I wish you godspeed and safe travel to and from.
Always,
Marge
Jorge ~
What a wonderful post! I just love it! I wish nothing but happiness for the young newlyweds. And to be married in Paris is just every girls dream come true. I feel the same way about my son and his new bride living overseas and seeing the world when they\’re young, hot, in love. LOL.
My prayers and blessings to you and your family. I loved this blog… and they are married by now… SO CONGRATULATIONS EVERYONE. (Now, wait until the new baby comes along…LOL. I\’ve got a new grandbaby coming end of July, and I\’M SO DARNED EXCITED I COULD SCREAM!)
Sending blessings and love to your world from mine.
Lori
Congratulations! I know all that\’s really important is she makes him happy…but it helps that you like her, too.
Hello Jorge,
Congratulations!!!
I like the small and family weddings too.
Best wishes to your son. Hugs
hello ….. a small cuckoo to wish you a good end of day the weekend approaches it is coll!!!!!! soon olive-tree has
Congratulations to all of you… a very touching post… may they always be as happy as they are now… or on second thought… even happier… hugs 🙂
Hello Jorge,
A pretty special weekend for you! While it will be emotional for both you and your wife, there will be moments of pride and satisfaction for a job well done. In hindsight, isn\’t that the purpose of life? To nurture a child to be the best he can be! And I think you have done that well. You are a remarkable man with a unique sensitivity and I am sure he is proud to call you father.
Have a wonderful trip to Paris and I hope you get a few extra days to relax and enjoy the city. Bittersweet
Jorge, May you have a good safe trip! Wish you and yours a very Happy 4th of July. As ever be well. Stephen Craig Rowe
Jorge…
What a wonderful post! A girlfriend and I were just talking about getting a writing club together with other parents who journal. We want to make sure that we record the moments…the smile moments and the frown moments and the flat-out pull-out- your-hair moments. We just discussed this very thing this afternoon while watching our children play. Reading your post today reminded me that life goes so quickly and that someday I may be writing about my daughters\’ weddings and smiling to think of them squabbling over imaginary lipstick.
I am sure the wedding was a joyful one…I, too, think much is lost in the planning of these huge affairs.
p.s. I have not (obviously) written at my Space for a very long time…but have started something else. When I am writing more regularly, I will let you know and you will be welcome to come by and leave me bits of wisdom…or nonsense, whichever you choose…anytime you like.
Many blessings and congratulations. I hope you have a wonderful time in Paris and I\’m looking forward to those pictures.
Hi, Jorge!
Just stopping by with more good wishes for your family and a big hug and a little kiss on the cheek for you.
Safe journeys and godspeed on your return.
Always,
Marge
Jorge. Guess who is back? Well, back for a time I suppose. I hope that you are having a fabulous time in Paris at the wedding. That sounds like a great occasion. My elder brother is due to get married in September, which is also very exciting. Like your "favorite poet", I too would like a smaller wedding. It always just seemed like the "best" way to have the ceremony—with those you truely want to be there.
Best wishes!
-K
Jorge – blessings to your son and his bride! I love this post.
Tess
hi Jorge,your post made me teary… but in a good way. i\’ve never saw in from the parents\’ point of view.when two people meet, two different worlds meet. a decision to spend the rest of their lives togther; till death do us part always touches me. love is a proccess and lots of understanding, effort is needed to create that intuness.the joining of two lives is indeed a cause for celebration. i wish you and yours happiness!
Jorge, That is just lovely! I am so glad that he has found someone who will make him happy and you will be happy as well. Enjoy Paris and enjoy the company that the wedding will draw you near. Be blessed.
Hi JORGE!
Congratulations! That is just wonderful. I love the words that you\’ve written about the joining of their lives. Beautiful. I miss you. Take care.
Love,
Kim (Jaime)
One thing forgot. also send my best wishes to the new couple, Congratulations!
Merci
Be well
Linda