Hope and Irises

 

I'm always running across quotes in books that I like. I may jot them down. Or I take a photo of them. Most of the time, I don't find a way to use them. It's kind of like those recipes I see on Facebook or in blogs that I print ... then promptly bury in a "might make someday pile" on my kitchen counter.

But this one from Charles Martin's book, The Last Exchange, recently rose to the surface again:

I've been some places where there is no hope, and yet somehow, it swims through the cracks. Rises to the surface. I've found hope staring me in the face when reason screamed I had none.. ... Not in all of human history has hope ever been laid to rest. When we breathe in, it's the stuff that expands our lungs. It's the reason we're not just dust. ... If you press me, love is what makes us who we are. Hope is how we express us. Hope is love with legs. 

from The Last Exchange by Charles Martin

 

 

Maybe blooming iris are like hope, too. Earlier this month, the bulbs were tightly closed. There was little hint of the blossom that would later unfurl from the tight, cocoon-shaped bulbs. 

 

 

But, like a butterfly breaking through a chrysalis and unfurling its wings, the iris' colorful petals also broke forth into a riot of purple framing our front doorstep and the mailbox. It's kind of like hope in the book quote, isn't it? The bloom breaks through the cracks and arrives at the surface - just like hope.

 

This year has seemed a particularly good year for iris. As I've mentioned before, they always remind me of my Grandma Neelly. She had purple iris outside her kitchen windows.  

 

She had a much better green thumb than I do. In fact, Randy is the reason we have anything growing in our yard and garden. But even if I don't carry her strong gardening gene, I still imagine her standing at the kitchen window, washing dishes and seeing the purple iris through the panes. They must have given her joy and hope...

just like seeing the iris surrounding our country road mailbox brings a smile as I arrive home.

And I feel the span across time connecting me to their old farm house and sweet memories of homemade noodles, green apple pie, a plastic candy dish, a manual typewriter, sugar-and-milk-laden coffee at breakfast time, Lassie and The Wonderful World of Disney with Grandpa Neelly, gathering eggs from the chicken house and so much more.

It's like a mental bouquet of love and hope. And even though the iris will soon be gone for the year, there remains the hope for next year ... and an invitation to say thank you.

It doesn’t have to be the blue iris

it could be weeds in a vacant lot,

 or a few small stones;

 just pay attention, 

then patch a few words together

 and don’t try to make them elaborate,

 this isn’t a contest

 but the doorway into thanks, 

and a silence in which another voice may speak.

Praying, by Mary Oliver

Adding to the Family

True love is when both people think they are the lucky one. 

-- Anonymous

 

I love photos. I'm sure that is surprising to no one. 

 

 

And I just can't quit looking at the photos from Brent's and Susan's wedding. Emily Brensing Photography captured the day beautifully. 

 

 

We got a "sneak peek" of about 20 photos a week after their May 28, 2022, wedding. But Brent & Susan wanted to wait to share the "official" photos from the day until they'd seen them all.  

The wedding venue was The Barn at Riverbend in rural Peculiar, Mo. It was green, peaceful and beautiful.

 

The photos were worth the wait. Thankfully, Brent and Susan spent some time winnowing down their favorites to about 200. For this decision-challenged mom, it helped that I didn't have to sift through 1,000 photos or so!

The wedding photography package started during the "getting ready" time of the day. 

It was fun to be there for all the make-up and hair sessions and the laughter among friends and family.

Jill and I had gotten Susan her "Mrs. Fritzemeier" hanger as a gift when she invited us to tag along as she chose her wedding gown last summer. I really wanted to be among the first to welcome a new "Mrs. Fritzemeier." (And I could relate to exchanging a short name with a long one. She went from four letters; I went from five. Nothing like tripling your name's letter count in a day!

Susan's niece, Charlie, and Brent's nieces, Kinley & Brooke, also were included in the day of preparations. The little girls were so excited to see the beautiful bride for the first time! (Click on the photo below to check out their faces! Of course, we big "girls" thought she looked beautiful, too.)

It was so special to be included with Susan's mom and Susan's friends.

Brent and his groomsmen got ready in a small cabin that was part of The Barn at Riverbend. No girls allowed - except the photographer and her assistant, of course.

So handsome and so happy!

Appropriately, the guys were the first ones to try out the coozies that Brent designed. When Brent lived in Manhattan, his friends often stayed at the "Fritz Carlton," his house near the football stadium for game weekends.

While I didn't get to witness Brent's first look at his bride, I felt like I was there through Emily's photos.

The love I see in Brent's eyes makes my eyes tear up every time.

And Susan looked happy to see Brent, too. What a special moment!
 

The little girls became friends quickly!

I would rather take photos than be in them. But I really liked the family photos from the day - even the ones with me in them!

Susan and her parents got a beautiful portrait, too.

Emily took the wedding party down a tree-lined drive for some of the pre-wedding photos. The greenery was the perfect backdrop for the greens and blues of the clothes and the mixed blossoms of the bouquets.

The ceremony itself was nestled in trees in a clearing. 

Delivering the rings and decorating the path are serious business!

This black and white photo shows one of the most meaningful moments in the ceremony. Their officiant, Allison, asked them to turn and look at those gathered and asked them to see and feel the love from those who were witnessing the special day.

Allison made the whole ceremony so personal and meaningful.

 I couldn't resist a couple of other special members of the family.

It's not easy to capture this many people with one photograph, but Emily did an admirable job.

Amanda & Emily, Kathy (Randy's sister) and her husband Dave

All four of us Moore siblings, plus all our kids and grandkids. We are a big crowd at Christmas. That's why we've moved the meal to Grandpa's shed!

The reception was just as beautiful.

Each of the tables was just a little different, with different glassware and flowers.

The newlyweds left the gazebo for some sunset photos at the venue's dock.

 Randy gave the prayer before the meal. (He may have gone off script. Can you guess who wrote the original script?)

The toasts and the whole evening were full of love and laughter.

 The first dance for Brent and Susan was to Dan Auerbach's "Never in my Wildest Dreams"

 I got to dance with Brent to "Somewhere Over the Rainbow."

Our 41+ years served us well for the anniversary dance - where the couples leave the dance floor based on how long they've been married (though no one came close to my parents with nearly 69 years.) Brent & Susan chose "Too Young," a song from my parents' youth as the song for the anniversary dance.

 They weren't the only dancers. The girls had a great time!

Cheers to the new Mr. and Mrs. Fritzemeier!

From the old Mr. and Mrs. Fritzemeier!

And a Powercat welcome from the couple married the longest (Grandpa and Grandma - Bob & Janis Moore - celebrating 69 years in August) to the ones married for only minutes!