An Angelic Light

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3kidsWe gathered in Austin, coming from one coast or the other, to raise a glass and give our cheer, for a moment all so dear. Parents and brothers and sisters, children too, now extended across the two families: this is what a marriage brings together.

During the morning we watched the Annual Pet Parade, and discovered what gems we could in the afternoon. At night, we donned our best to gather in Justine’s secret garden and celebrate with the newlyweds. There were, of course, tears here and there, knowing just how much our mother would have loved this fabulous party. She would have crafted a poem to recite for the occasion, as she did for so many birthdays and anniversaries and weddings. Filled with clever and not so clever rhymes, and we would have listened and laughed and so enjoyed her theatrics. Instead, auspiciously, my brother recited Wordsworth, from memory, to his new bride, and by doing so he made us laugh, he caused us to remember, and he helped us all to look forward.

The happy couple.

T&C

“She Was a Phantom of Delight” By William Wordsworth

She was a Phantom of delight
When first she gleamed upon my sight;
A lovely Apparition, sent
To be a moment’s ornament;
Her eyes as stars of Twilight fair;
Like Twilight’s, too, her dusky hair;
But all things else about her drawn
From May-time and the cheerful Dawn;
A dancing Shape, an Image gay,
To haunt, to startle, and way-lay.
I saw her upon nearer view,
A Spirit, yet a Woman too!
Her household motions light and free,
And steps of virgin-liberty;
A countenance in which did meet
Sweet records, promises as sweet;
A Creature not too bright or good
For human nature’s daily food;
For transient sorrows, simple wiles,
Praise, blame, love, kisses, tears, and smiles.
And now I see with eye serene
The very pulse of the machine;
A Being breathing thoughtful breath,
A Traveller between life and death;
The reason firm, the temperate will,
Endurance, foresight, strength, and skill;
A perfect Woman, nobly planned,
To warn, to comfort, and command;
And yet a Spirit still, and bright
With something of angelic light.
party copyTogether, in that open air garden, we were wrapped in a familial love, cherishing this angelic light summoned from above now brought down low enough to feel as solidly as the rocky earth beneath our feet. Love. Family. Light. Remembering in this moment, the only one we have, love is everything.

9 thoughts on “An Angelic Light”

  3. Your mother was there. Of course she was. When you gather this way, in a spirit of love and family, Eileen will always be with you – through you – in you. So happy for you all to have had this joyous occasion to celebrate and mark together. Thank you for sharing, Moira.

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  4. Whenever you write about your family and the gatherings you so enjoy, you make us all feel as though we are there with you. Continued happiness to you and yours.

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