Translucent

*Written August 22, 2008

Today my brother made a commitment to his new family. Today he solemnly swore to have and to hold, to love and to cherish, in sickness and in health, for richer or poorer, ‘til death do us part, to always be there as a husband, lover, friend, and now father. There were toasts, speeches, and high-heeled blisters.

I’ve always thought it would be difficult to introduce new people into our family because we’ve always been so close. But I realized a few months ago that I couldn’t be more wrong. It’s almost as if we had this completed puzzle and all the sudden realized that there were other pieces that fit perfectly into it somehow. I couldn’t be happier for my brother. I’ve never seen him so in love, so at peace. Ashley and Destiny came in to his life and opened his heart. I cannot be more excited for how Ashley has changed his life. As I’ve grown to know her and Destiny I get excited for birthdays, Thanksgiving, Christmas, and anniversaries.

Nights like this are big for a couple reasons. First this was the beginning of a family. Second these are my secret ‘translucent’ nights that I feel the closest to my late grandma Lyn. I’m not sure if it’s the tears from excitement, having all of our family near, or if it’s just the general vibe in the air. The best we to explain it is when you put two sheets of plain white paper together. Let’s say you take the first piece of paper and write on it. Then you layer the second piece of paper over the top. The first piece of paper is where my grandma is, the second is my reality. I, as the second piece of paper, know that she is there on the first piece of paper, and I can almost see her through the thin layer separating our realities. I believe she is can see through the second piece of paper into our reality and is there for our big nights. Sometimes I wish I had a big light that I could shine through the two pieces of paper so I could see her through my reality.

Congratulations Chris and Ashley! We love you and wish you the best!

xoxoxox