my cousin's daughter, laura, has always held a special place in my heart. her bright eyes and quick smile. her love of family. her love of animals. she is easy to be with and easy to love. she always made an effort to be at family gatherings even when i'm sure she had more interesting things to be doing. and today was her wedding day. i made her a quilt. and we drove a couple of hours to a lovely country club outside of toronto. it was a rainy gray day, and the wedding was perfectly lovely, in a glassed in terrace overlooking the greens and the bright autumn colors. i had been looking forward all week to seeing all my uncles and aunts and cousins. and beautiful laura and her new husband. everyone dressed up and happy and celebratory. but during the standing and sitting of the ceremony, i became aware that it felt like i may have stained the back of my skirt.....the kind of stain you can't hide or explain away. the most embarrassing sort of bright red stain. i whispered my fears to tom and stepped in front of him as we were walking out. he nodded, signalling that i had indeed stained my skirt. there was nothing to really do but hug the bride and head home. i didn't have a change of clothes and dancing the night away with a red stain on my bottom didn't sound too inviting. so, with a sweater tied around my waist, i hugged my dear uncles and aunts and my parents and laura and her new husband dan, and we slipped away in the rain leaving my mother to give any explanation she was comfortable giving.
what would you have done? and what have you done in those moments when your womanhood was displayed to the world???
Oh!Annette! thats was so ... borring!!! i cant stand it when things like that happens... but while i totaly understand you wanted home, i would stay ( with the big sweater around my waist ) and i would say to people when looking at me questioning : dont ask! but if i felt bad fysicaly i would of course do the same. the most important is to do what makes YOU feel ok . if you have stayed and not had any fun because of this, it wouldn`t have been right? would it?
ReplyDeleteBeautiful photos. She looks lovely. What would I have done? I may have stayed with sweater tied around my waist, although at a wedding that is not the most comfortable thing to do. When I was 13 years old I started my period early on a school trip to Wimbledon. Oh dear, embarrassing, especially at 13!
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful gift to give, a quilt you have made. It will be treasured I am sure.
i forgot t osay that your niece looks amazing!!! the firt picture is like it came out from a wedding editorial or even better a farytail : )
ReplyDeleteA beautiful bride! She looks almost victorian in her veil, and I am sure she had a happy day. What I would have done? As you did, I think, because it is not good to stay, when you rather want to go, whatever reason. But if it was not too long a way, may be I would have wanted to go back, even if I had to use a dress that was not exactly a wedding party dress. I do not know..
ReplyDeleteI wish you a nice day to day!
i can completely understand yor reaction , and yes the bride looks amazing and so very happy, she (also) had an unforgettable day, xx
ReplyDeleteCongratulations to your beautiful niece! I feel for you. And for me. And for women. But it is a situation like this, and many others, that builds strength of character. Women learn to make numberless decisions and sacrifices in life based solely on biology. Once a month minimum. And to make them with grace. I think it's just one of many things that can turn women into sensitive, caring, intelligent people. What would I do? Who knows. Be in context for sure! We've all been there!
ReplyDeleteShe is beautiful, but I am so sad for you.
ReplyDeleteOnce when was about 20 I went to a summer wedding in my pretty dress and flip-flops! I forgot to put on my shoes. So embarrassed that I left.
Laura is lovely and I am so glad you made her a quilt. What a wonderful gift. On the other topic, I have messed up a chair in a restaurant and Mike's families "good" car and more. I am so sorry your day was cut short.
ReplyDeleteOh dear me! Red stain, red face... Oops. Wonderful thing is we have ALL had this happen to us at some point - of course Murphy would have it that the moment always presents itself when we are A - in public, B - in public at a special event or C - in public at a special event we do not want to leave!! Still... what a stunning bride and what an honest post. Thank you for sharing. XX
ReplyDeleteWhat a beautiful bride. The quilt is a loving gift that will be treasured. My daughter and I have always referred to our "." as the "dot at the end of a sentence." The period ends the thought or sentence and many times ended our plans; and unfortunately it ended your staying at your niece's wedding. Hope you enjoyed yourself while you were there.
ReplyDeletethank you for all your wonderful comments. i am really sad at missing the celebration and all the special little touches of the dinner and the fun of the dancing. but i'm glad i was able be at the ceremony and to see her. and all the dear ones before my unplanned exit. i have had close calls, but i think this is the one and only time that it was obvious and i paniced.
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