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autumn, Beauty, birds, Christian thought, creation, Fort Whyte, God, humour, Marriage, nature, New York City, philosophy, photography, Relationships, Wedding, weddings, worship
It’s been a few weeks since my last post. It has been a busy time. I left you hanging with the approaching nuptials. The wedding is over, not the marriage, just the wedding part. It went well and was a very happy day.
As you can see from the amateur photo above the couple had chosen an outdoor setting. It is one of my favourite places, Fort Whyte Alive. This time of year it becomes the staging ground or water for migrating water fowl. Thousands of ducks and geese and others species gather and glean in neighbouring fields before continuing their arduous journey south. Among the geese there is a great deal of coming together as families and groups and sharing the task of leading the flight. The lead goose has to work much harder than those following who benefit from the air passage created by the first. So leadership is shared, giving each an opportunity and also a rest.
These seem like good lessons for marriage, too bad I didn’t think about this soon enough to include in the homily!
The couple gambled on the weather being cooperative. Mid September can be warm and sunny or cold and wet. We all had faith that we would be able to hold the ceremony outside and then gather inside for the dinner and celebration.
The back-up plan was to hold the ceremony in the same room as the wedding feast, which would work, but not offer nearly as beautiful a setting.
Saturday morning came. There were many clouds. The weather forecast was for possible thunderstorms which ‘should’ clear by mid-afternoon. The wedding ceremony was to start at 6pm.
By mid-day the thunderstorm was in full swing. I started to worry about an electrical outage – all the ‘girls’ were getting themselves ready in our condo.
By about 2pm the thunderstorm had passed, the sun was coming out but the wind had decided to stay to help with the wedding. Priests don’t appreciate the wind at outside ceremonies. Pages of the service book are quite flimsy and rapidly turn over if not supervised most closely.
The wedding party drove to the wedding site. All was being prepared. The priest decided he needed to rearrange the chairs. I thought it might be better if they faced the couple more directly, and also if there was room to actually move between the rows!
One microphone was found to be defective and a staff member sent out to buy a replacement connector.
But, everything was prepared with time to spare and the setting did indeed look perfect for a church wedding. Yes, even though the ceremony was held outside in God’s creation, is was still a church wedding. It was the church who gathered to witness and take part, it was the church that provided the support and encouragement to the couple. And it was the church that provided the liturgy that beautifully explained the purpose of marriage and aided the couple in inviting God into their marriage.
All went well and right at the very conclusion of the service as I introduced the new couple a flock of geese did a low fly by right over our herds – honking their greetings and wishing the couple well. And you know, there are still unbelievers out there!
A notation on Canada Geese: These geese do not defecate during flight. There was no danger of them pooping on our parade.
So it was a wonderful privilege to be FOB (father of the bride) and OP (Officiating Priest) on such a lovely occasion.
The couple went on to enjoy a short honeymoon in New York City. Susan and I gradually said good bye to our family visitors from England and California. We then got out of town fast and headed for England and Scotland. I hope to post some travel blogs over the next week or so.
Lottie Nevin said:
Rod, what a wonderful and special day for you all. I’m so glad the geese didn’t poop on anyone and that the rain gave way to a bright early evening. It must have been quite emotional ‘marrying’ your daughter, you must be so proud.
The setting sounds quite magical and I’m glad that it all went well. I’ve missed your posts but knew you must be busy with the nuptials. I hope that the UK trip is going well and that you’ve not forgotten the tea! Happy Days to you all and very Best wishes to the Bride and Groom for many years of happiness and love. Lottie
Just Rod said:
Thanks Lottie for your good wishes. Yes, it was a very special and happy day. The trip is going well. Hope to start sharing some of photos and comments soon. I’ve been trying to catch up on the blogs I follow, but it’s been slow with irregular access to WIFI and no computer. But back in touch now. Gotta hunt for tea!
Andrew said:
Many congratulations to all concerned but especially you, Rod. Strangely, I did not know that Canada Geese don’t poop on the wing. Have a great holiday. We leave for Europe on Monday.
Just Rod said:
Thanks Andrew, enjoy your trip
Anonymous said:
Congratulations to you all. It looks like a lovely setting and a happy time. It’s too bad OP couldn’t have also been official photographer. Can’t you be in two places at once? Blessings on the new family and their parents.
Just Rod said:
Thank you, two jobs was enough!
jennypellett said:
It’s lovely to have you back in blogland, Rod, and the picture is beautiful. What a great setting for a wedding. Hope you are enjoying your holiday over here – so looking forward to hearing about your travels and what you’ve discovered.
Just Rod said:
Thanks Jenny. Had a wonderful week in Scotland and now with family in Essex. Next two weeks have been planned by the board!
petspeopleandlife said:
Hi Rod. I’m so glad that all went well on this very special day for your daughter and your now son-in-law. They are a handsome couple and the photo that you posted here is a very good one. I think that I saw that pic on the Internet – maybe it was in Yahoo news. Did I imagine that- don’t think so. Is was attached to some link- I think.
Well, anyhoo the day was a good one and I really liked the additon of the geese. As you most likely know but maybe some commenters do not, the paired geese remain a couple for life. I think the fly over of the geese was a fitting finale to the wedding day.
~yvonne
Just Rod said:
Thanks you Yvonne. I don’t think the photograph was on the internet – but you never know these days. Yes, it’s interesting that the Canada Geese mate for life. It’s interesting here in the spring to see the various couples deciding on where to nest their eggs. They are very protective of their nesting territory.
It was quite a magical moment when the geese came by, we couldn’t have timed it better.
Marylin Warner said:
Congratulations to the lovely couple…and the bride’s parents!
What better ending could there be to the wedding ceremony than a low fly over of geese honking their best wishes.
Have a wonderful trip in England and Scotland.
Just Rod said:
Thank you Marylin.
Steve Gingold said:
Congratulations to one and all, Rod. How wonderful that the skies parted for the ceremony and that the Canada Geese (thank you for not claiming them 🙂 ) did a proper flyover in celebration.
Wouldn’t you know it….my invitation just arrived. 🙂
Seriously, I am very happy that all went off without an improper hitch and you were able to perform the proper kind.
Just Rod said:
That darn post office! I did have one tense moment when the rings started to slide down my prayer book – caught them just in time! Now that would have been very embarrassing. Thank you for your congratulations. I wonder who first named those geese Canada Geese? A couple of pairs were introduced into Britain several decades ago – they are now everywhere here, and have no need to migrate.
Steve Gingold said:
A quick check with Wiki claims that the name “canadensis” means “from Canada” and was first described as such by Linnaeus.
Ah, you missed the opportunity to give rise to a new wedding tradition, Rod. The chasing of the wedding tokens. 🙂
Just Rod said:
On the other hand my daughter and son-in-law are still talking to me.
Thanks for the educational note. I guess they could also have been named usensis – but it doesn’t have the same ring to it. 🙂