Dear Reader:

I came across one of my favorite quotes “accidentally” earlier this week and I think today, Friday, the day before the “BIG EVENT” is the perfect day to share it again.

“Normal day…Let me be aware of the treasure you are. Let me not pass you by in quest of some rare and perfect tomorrow.” Mary Jean Irion

Don’t we spend too much of our lives just mulling along trying to get to the next “big event.”  We say things like “It’s Wednesday, only two more days until the weekend!” or ” Just one more week on the grindstone until vacation.”

The problem is…if we aren’t living each day to its fullest…think about how much of our lives we are throwing away. Are we unconsciously saying…“If it isn’t a perfect day…then we are just going to let it slide?”

Every day is precious…every hour, minute, and second. If not treated as such…we have unconsciously given our time on earth away, as dismissively as taking out the garbage. Surely our lives deserve more than this.

So until tomorrow… on this magnificent, beautiful day Friday, the day before the wedding…I breathe in and out the life-giving air that lets me enjoy each moment of life. I am happy with today and eagerly anticipate the wonder and excitement of tomorrow.

“Today is my favorite day” Winnie the Pooh

Here are some photos from our first gathering of family and friends from both sides of the family. Out-of-towners and the bride and groom’s families met for our first “meet and greet” last night at the Boat House on Breach Inlet.

From earlier weather forecasts I thought we might have to go inside the Boathouse Restaurant instead of going to the top deck where we planned to meet at 5:00 yesterday afternoon…but the rains held off, there was a delightful breeze, and everyone had such a good time!

One can actually feel the continuity of life and family in moments like these…too rare…but more precious for it.

We were all prepared after meeting everyone to fill in the family tree puzzle…things like…the coolest Grandmother (Susan’s mother-Judy) Dan has to be Butch’s brother, Dan’s wife Trudy has the same name of my childhood best friend and so on. The maids of honor-Lily and Mary are beautiful and adorable, Kaitlyn’s nieces. Here are just a few snapshots from the fun.

* Remember how I mentioned that I would love  to wear some Confederate Jasmine cologne or perfume. Well…obviously I am not alone. Frances Wilder Townsend thrilled my history soul with this first-hand account re-telling of some family history.

Back in the depression, my mother worked as a free-lance secretary; she would go to the homes of folks that needed dictation and typing. One of the families she worked for (in addition to Dubose Heyward -Porgy and Bess) was the Kittredges, who owned Cypress Gardens, before it was open to the public. They were working on the planting and landscaping. Mr. Kittredge worked for years to develop a perfume that mimicked Confederate Jasmine, but he never succeeded. 

Obviously only “God can make a tree” or Confederate Jasmine perfume. 🙂