The Wedding

“Anne, what about the wedding?” my Aunt Gertie asked hesitantly. Her telephone call startled me awake from my afternoon nap. Even more startling—it was 2:00 pm and the wedding was scheduled for that evening at 7:00!

Skeptically, I asked, “You want to go?”

When she received the invitation from her neighbor Roger and his fiancé Margaret, she showed it to me, and I told her I would be glad to take her. The wedding ceremony was to take place in Fort Worth at the Lena Pope Chapel and the reception was being held at the Mira Vista Country Club. I knew it would be a lavish affair. My sister Charlene even found her a turquoise chiffon dress that would be appropriate for the occasion. But Gertie flat out told me she was not going.

That morning, however, she had seen Margaret, and Margaret had strongly encouraged her to come. Now, here it was only five hours until the wedding prelude and Gertie had changed her mind. Well, forget about a nap! I jumped up, determined what I would wear to such a nice occasion, and got dressed. With such a thin dress I knew Gertie would need a wrap for her shoulders. I quickly called my friend Joan to borrow a stole and headed to Gertie’s apartment.

Gertie had probably only attended a few small family weddings as a young woman. To my knowledge she had never been to a big wedding. As I helped her get dressed, I felt like I was taking Cinderella to the ball. By 6:00 we were ready to leave. As we were walking to the car, I turned around to see how she looked and was somewhat taken aback when I saw her knee-high hose peeking from underneath her hemline. As she was 80 years of age, I felt everyone would understand; and I knew I was not going to say anything to her about it. I wanted her to enjoy the evening, knee-highs and all!

Following the beautiful wedding ceremony in the chapel, we drove to the reception at the country club. When we arrived at the gate, the guard could not find our name on the list of wedding guests. Of course, given that Gertie had just decided that afternoon to attend, she had not RSVP’d. Looking these two older ladies over, I guess the guard decided we would not be a security threat and granted us entrance.

When we entered the club, waiters were serving hors d’oeuvres and champagne on trays while the guests mingled. A buffet table was laid out with an array of delectable food that was indescribable. The main entre was a roasted pig complete with an apple in its jaws. I am sure Aunt Gertie had never seen anything like it. I am not even sure I had.

After dinner, Gertie made her way to the newlyweds to wish them well and to give each of them a hug. We left with Gertie having enjoyed a very delightful evening.

What a fun event—it was like escorting Cinderella to the ball!