Blame It All On Wendy . . .

This last weekend, the daughter of one of my favorite little buddies got married. Since the bride was going through the temple for the first time that morning just before they got married, Mama needed a few helping hands. Marsha could not get into the building to decorate the day before, so a bunch of us went over in the morning while the family was in Mesa and had our way with the decorating plans. Everyone had different ideas to enhance it all, and I must humbly say, "Dang, we're good!"

I have been asked repeatedly, why I get involved with this and I guess my answer could be, blame Wendy. She is a dear friend who moved away several years ago, just to be with her husband where his new job was, go figure. I'm not sure if I have forgiven them or not, but she is the one who stepped up totally when Mariah was getting married and got things together while we were traveling back from Mesa. It was outside, the wind was blowing, and nothing would stay standing for them. Fortunately, Mariah was so hyped up on LOVE that she was not too concerned about it all. As the sun set, the wind did drop so more was able to be stood up. Later I found out that Wendy and her family had put off a trip until the next morning so she could do all that for us. I felt so badly when I found out! So now, I try to pass the favor forward whenever I can.

I remember what a nightmare my wedding was for my mom. What is funny, she insisted that I have a reception because she just knew that I would regret it later if I didn't. So she had it for me, I had it for her and neither one of us was glad that it had happened . . . the reception, that is, the marriage was great from day one! For years, I felt like that would be the one thing that I would turn back the clock for. Anyway, I don't want any other mother to experience that kind of anxiety.

Then there are the selfish reasons. I always get to spend time with some of the greatest people in the world during a happy time for everyone. I got to know more of the newer people in our ward better. I have been so impressed with some of them and since I spend a lot of time at the University Ward, I don't get to see them as much as I would like to. I also got to spend time with old friends (the ones my age :-D ) that have been in the ward for a long time. Marsha & I got to run around and had lots of time to catch up on life. Who wouldn't take advantage of that opportunity?

So life is good, and now Marsha wants to help with Valerie's wedding that is coming up next month. What a great system!