In this fallen world we live in, there are only a few perfect, fleeting moments that happen. In actuality, there is no perfection in this life and it is quite stupid to make perfection your life's goal. I have seen way too many people that are frozen in their work, creativity, or momentum -- they can't move forward because everything is not perfect. They are afraid to jump in the fray, because something might go wrong. Something always goes wrong! And if you don't jump in, all you get is a sideline picture of life. I would much rather be sopping wet, nasty with bacteria, and yes, even drowning, than to stand pristine on the sideline with everything still intact in its frozen state. Better to be in the muck than to have watched from the balcony. Because of this attitude, I often and usually feel like I am hurtling 120 mph in a rattling, shuddering, ramshackle tube down the highway....always on the cusp of some irrevocable disaster. There are brief moments of serenity between trips, but generally things are pushed right to the edges. Ah, for a simple life....
Daniel and Jessica's wedding this weekend was such an endeavor. Up until the hour of the actual ceremony, we were patching together everything we could to make it happen. Too many details to mention, but suffice it to say that there (finally) came the moment when the music started and we all started our procession. Ken walked me down to the front row and we sat down. At that juncture, it seemed to me that the world stood still. The sun was shining warmly, the wind stopped, the trees beamed their golden hues at us from across the lake. In front of us was assembled all the beautiful young people that mean the most to us, dressed in their finest. The lace, the wood, the silk, the gently blown hair, the handsome assembly of muscles, the shined-up shoes and perfect makeup, the smiles, the scents of nature and clean people mixing in a sweet perfume. The music beckoned us to relax and to hear, to relax and enjoy the moment. I was fixed on Daniel's face. He was immensely tall and handsome. He was all muscle and manhood, broad shouldered and strong. He turned his back to the aisle so that Jessica could make her way across the meadow with her father without him seeing her. He was turned to the minister, who happened to be my brother Jerry. Daniel looked at Jerry's face, his uncle and friend. Jerry, with tears, said, "I love you." All the emotions of the moment poured out as Daniel turned to see his bride for the first time that day. There was Jessica, a perfect vision, her dress a feathered cloud and her eyes huge warm pools. I could not turn away from looking at Daniel's face, there was so much emotion there. It was full of love, happiness, surrender and gratefulness. His tears caused all of us to cry as well. The moment was perfect, one of those rare glimpses of heaven that make us remember that we have so much to be grateful for and so much to look forward to.
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