When I was 21 or 22,
my boyfriend was diagnosed on a Friday
with stage three Hodgkin’s disease.
On Monday he would start chemotherapy.
And, by the way,
“you’ll probably never be able to have children.”
My immediate thought was:
who needs kids?
Which was, I learned, more of an epiphany
about my as yet undeclared love for Jim
than it was an opinion about parenting.
We got married and had kids.
One of those kids, Tessa,
is getting married today.
She’s a beauty all right.
Smart too.
And funny.
Patrick is a perfect match.
They complement one other.
Patrick’s grandfather told me
when Patrick’s great grandfather
met Tessa for the first time
He said,
“She’s the one.”
And, while Tessa decided
great grandfather was
too old for her.
And already married.
Patrick was just right.
So, today they begin
their married life together.
Tessa’s brother Ben will
walk her down the aisle.
And “give her away.”
As much as she is
any of ours to give away.
Time flies, as they say,
and life has some crazy
twists & turns along the way.
You love as much as you can
for as long as you can.
Then, let go.
Tessa & Patrick
July 6, 2013
