Today I'm grateful for...
My back feeling better
Getting exercise
Going shopping with the boys (to get SYNERGY drinks)
Going shopping with the boys (to get Yogurt for the boys)
This is an off week for Lulu and her chemotherapy treatments. Lulu had worked out taking a week off, so she could celebrate Lourdes' baptism and the baby shower. We will be having lots of family come into town (and into our house) this labor day weekend. When we planned to have Lourdes baptism on this date, we didn't know that she would be fighting this cancer? But everything is working out perfectly for the two events in the same weekend, since family is coming from places like Puerto Rico, Texas, California. Lulu will be resuming her treatments on September 10, 11th. The next 4 treatments are with a different cancer drug, Taxol. Our understanding is that Lulu will be in the infusion center for about 4 to 5 hours for these treatments (the AC were about 3 hours). Also, we were told to expect Lulu would have some tingling in the hands and feet starting after the second course of Taxol drugs. I think that she's ready to plod her way through this next phase of treatment? I know that I'm eager to see her get cancer free.
Today I was think about Lulu and I's wedding day. I'm not sure why the event of us joining life's in April 1997 was nagging my mind, but I just couldn't get away from the thoughts of wedding bells and throwing rice. Lulu and I were married in San Juan, Puerto Rico on April 27, 1997. I had a good idea of what I was getting into in my relationship to Lulu and my relationship to her family, but I had no idea of what it meant to be married in the Puerto Rican culture? I knew from an early age (as far back as high school) that if I was to ever get married; my wife would have to be independent, and want to work outside the home, and want to share in the homestead duties. I remember that I had this rule for dating, so I would be assured of finding this type of woman. I expected my girlfriends to offer to pay for some part of the date at least by the second time we went out together. I figured that was my signal to meeting that "independent" person that I was looking for? (it worked, boy did I get my wish and then some).
I didn't imagine that my wedding would be as time intensive and grandeur as it turned out to be, and I wasn't prepared for the whole experience. I remember making suggestions to how, where, when, and who might be part of this glorious day; however, I was to find out that weddings are the coming out party for the female, and the future husband pretty much just shows up and looks pretty? I found that most of the decisions about how the wedding should be carried out have been made (at least for Lulu) during the fiancee first 28 years of upbringing. I would be lying if I said this whole process didn't sadden me a bit. I had envisioned Lulu and I sitting down together to discuss the intimate details of who would share in witnessing the start of our lives together, the reception details, and the priest that would join our hands in marriage. But Lulu had envisioned her making all the plans with her Mom, and sisters. I took my place (get the tux, and be prepared at this specific time), I just had to make it through those 5 or 6 months up to the date, and then survive the "big day". I was dreading that April spring day in Puerto Rico.
I had a great wedding day. As it turned out the our marrying day was not only tolerable, but a very enjoyable event. Besides those small unforeseen happenings, like the fact that the rental shoes for my 10 year old nephew, Lancie, were adult 12's not child 12's; most of the the Wilkerson relatives were all late for the church (we were exploring the island and lost tract of time), and many of us didn't have the time to shower before barely getting dressed and then hustling off to the wedding mass half way a crossed San Juan (a city of 2 million); I forgot the bride's wedding ring in the hotel, and a good friend missed the first half of the ceremony taking a hour long round trip taxi ride to rescue me; and Lulu's father falling a few days before the wedding and breaking his pelvis (he made it to walk Lulu down the aisle with a cane and a painfully slow hobble). All in all the day was one to remember, and I will never forget the way Lulu looked as we danced that first dance in front of many people that I had just met today. Lulu didn't pull her hair up for the wedding, I had only known her with straight medium length black hair, so I was pleased to see that she had left her hair alone. I just wished that our first dance as husband and wife would never end. I couldn't wait to get our lives together started, alone. It took us years to payoff the wedding expenses, but well worth the expense, and we never tried to think about the cost.
Thinking about how stressful this all was, and how if we could do this wedding thing again, we would enjoy the festivities (and each other) so much more. I thought, why not do it all again? Two and a half years will be our fifteenth wedding anniversary, and what a better time to return to Puerto Rico and renew our vowels in front of family and friends? I mentioned this to Lulu and she almost shouted with joy. I could see her planning the "big day" as soon as she is feeling better? I just hope that I get to be part of it this time? I know that the day will be special. Who knows maybe more special the second time then the first?
My back feeling better
Getti
Goi
Goin
This is an off week for Lulu and her chemotherap
Today I was think about Lulu and I's wedding day. I'm not sure why the event of us joining life's in April 1997 was nagging my mind, but I just couldn't get away from the thoughts of wedding bells and throwing rice. Lulu and I were married in San Juan, Puerto Rico on April 27, 1997. I had a good idea of what I was getting into in my relationshi
I didn't imagine that my wedding would be as time intensive and grandeur as it turned out to be, and I wasn't prepared for the whole experience. I remember making suggestions to how, where, when, and who might be part of this glorious day; however, I was to find out that weddings are the coming out party for the female, and the future husband pretty much just shows up and looks pretty? I found that most of the decisions about how the wedding should be carried out have been made (at least for Lulu) during the fiancee first 28 years of upbringing. I would be lying if I said this whole process didn't sadden me a bit. I had envisioned Lulu and I sitting down together to discuss the intimate details of who would share in witnessing the start of our lives together, the reception details, and the priest that would join our hands in marriage. But Lulu had envisioned her making all the plans with her Mom, and sisters. I took my place (get the tux, and be prepared at this specific time), I just had to make it through those 5 or 6 months up to the date, and then survive the "big day". I was dreading that April spring day in Puerto Rico.
I had a great wedding day. As it turned out the our marrying day was not only tolerable, but a very enjoyable event. Besides those small unforeseen happenings, like the fact that the rental shoes for my 10 year old nephew, Lancie, were adult 12's not child 12's; most of the the Wilkerson relatives were all late for the church (we were exploring the island and lost tract of time), and many of us didn't have the time to shower before barely getting dressed and then hustling off to the wedding mass half way a crossed San Juan (a city of 2 million); I forgot the bride's wedding ring in the hotel, and a good friend missed the first half of the ceremony taking a hour long round trip taxi ride to rescue me; and Lulu's father falling a few days before the wedding and breaking his pelvis (he made it to walk Lulu down the aisle with a cane and a painfully slow hobble). All in all the day was one to remember, and I will never forget the way Lulu looked as we danced that first dance in front of many people that I had just met today. Lulu didn't pull her hair up for the wedding, I had only known her with straight medium length black hair, so I was pleased to see that she had left her hair alone. I just wished that our first dance as husband and wife would never end. I couldn't wait to get our lives together started, alone. It took us years to payoff the wedding expenses, but well worth the expense, and we never tried to think about the cost.
Thinki
No comments:
Post a Comment