John 2:1-2
_-_WGA24859.jpg/750px-Paolo_Veronese_-_The_Marriage_at_Cana_(detail)_-_WGA24859.jpg) |
| The Wedding Feast at Cana Paolo Veronese ca 1563 |
James and Tammy dated for years. Their love for each other as high school sweethearts is the stuff that romance novels are made of. As a matter of fact when they finally did finally get married many of us did not realize that they were not already married; you just never saw one without the other. However, when they did traverse the aisle together as husband and wife our family was there in force. Factors that came together that weekend highlight so much of the uniqueness of our family from our love, to our creativity, to our fun natured way of approaching life, and especially to our eccentricities; we are all just a bit out of round.
On most Sundays that little country church where James and Tammy exchanged their vows may hold 50 people if it is completely packed out. The Saturday of their wedding we packed over 200 friends and family into that little country church; testing the elasticity of the walls and pews. As we gathered we joked around and kidded one another about all sorts of things. One of our running jokes seems to always center around Jeff and Ryan.
Most family functions that Jeff and Ryan would attend, especially in their teen years, they would need to purchase a new suit because both of them were constantly growing. Usually one would wear the jacket with jeans and the other will wear the pants. Also, one will have their hair cut and the other will be growing it out to rival the length of Sampson. Since we never knew which would be which the rest of us take bets on who will be wearing the jacket and who will have their hair cut. As usual, however, they tend to throw a combination in that completely changes our dynamic. As unpredictable as Jeff and Ryan were about their appearance upon arrival, my father was equally predictable in his arrival; he will be late. The only variation for him is how late.
On the day of the wedding a video camera was setup to capture all of the activity from the chancel area of the church so we could easily see their faces as they exchanged their vows. From that vantage point, though, it also captured activity in the congregation.
As the hour of the wedding approached my various cousins were all seated together in the same area of the church, along with some other relatives and friends. Each of their faces showed up clearly on the video that we all enjoyed after the wedding as we relived the day’s events together later that evening. For some reason, I had been seated a few pews ways away from most of my cousins, but I began to notice in the video a significant amount of commotion among my cousins that seemed unusual for even them. From one person to the next I started to see them pass a handful of dollar bills down the pew in much too jovial of a manner. At first, I thought that they were taking up a collection for someone who had forgotten to bring a present so that they had a gift to give to James and Tammy. However, what really messed that theory up for me was when I saw on the video all the money go back down the pew to Kelley; and she was way too happy. I didn’t grasp what was happening so I asked some of them who were watching the video with me what was going on.
What they told me left me in no small amount of shock, but also comfort with my family who were going to find fun at all costs. What I had missed was my father’s entrance at the point the money was distributed. They had all taken bets on how late he would be, and Kelley placed the winning bet; who else but my family would be making bets in church. After the wedding and reception we all scattered in our own respective directions, invigorated by our time together again, and Kelley was buying.
The next day I had plans to meet my sister and my father for a meal together. As I pulled up to the restaurant, however, I was greeted by someone from the family telling me that Mamaw and Papaw had been in a car accident and that everyone had gone to the hospital to see about them. I immediately got back on the highway and joined them at the hospital out of deep concern for my grandparents.
When I arrived back in Iredell County the various details of their accident began to come into focus. Mamaw had been driving when the accident had occurred. She and Papaw were going to church, and, as per normal, they were arriving just before services were about to start. She had a practice of pulling up to the front door and dropping him off before parking the car. This day, however, as she made the hairpin turn into the parking lot her feet got twisted up in the pedals and rather than depress the brake she mistakenly depressed the gas pedal. The car rapidly accelerated from near zero to a speed that shook the entire church as she collided with the side of the building. Not only that, but the car was classified as a total loss in a distance of less than 50 yards.
Papaw’s injuries were minor bumps and scrapes primarily from the airbag going off, but Mamaw’s involved a badly sprained ankle. The thing that grieved her most, however, was the fact that she had also hit two teens about to enter the church as she careened toward the church; that wound she took with her to her grave.
Papaw’s ability to care for himself had never been very good. He knew that he had an underwear drawer, but he wasn’t quite sure where it was. He knew that food was prepared in the kitchen, and if any meal required more expertise than picking up a sandwich that was already made he was lost. As he got older all of that got even worse. Mamaw was very capable under normal circumstances, but not being able to move around the house without help was prohibitive for her doing anything on her own. Given these circumstances a decision was made that someone would stay with them each night for the next week or so. My turn came about the second or third night.
Staying with my grandparents was never a chore. I loved spending time with them on just about any occasion. I came up after I got off of work and prepared supper for them. We enjoyed a good meal and time together, even as a fairly blustery storm brewed up outside. As we completed our meal Mamaw went back to the den where she was able to put her foot up and talk with me while I cleaned up the kitchen. Papaw also sat down in the den.
As I worked on the dishes I noticed that Papaw had gotten up and wandered off to the back porch area where the restroom was. My thought was that he was going out there to do his business, but I began to hear him near the back door. The storm that had brewed up earlier had not declined any in the last hour, and had instead intensified. I was concerned that he was going to try to go outside in that storm without thinking about what he was doing.
I quickly made my way to the back porch to try to cut him off and noticed him standing near the back door, and it was not real evident what was going on. “Papaw, what are you doing?” I asked.
The answer I got back I was simply not prepared for. “I’m peeing in this can.”
“You’re doing what?!?” I asked incredulously
To which I got the quick and curt reply, “I’m peeing in this can then I’ll pour it out the door.”
I am still not sure how I maintained a straight face. “Oh,” as if that happened every day. I stammered for a moment trying to figure out what on earth to do or say next. Meantime he finished up opened the door and tossed the contents of his can into the yard. I thought that perhaps I could at least add some sanitary content to this circus that I was witnessing, “Why don’t we throw that can away now,” as I reached for the can to toss it out.
“Nope,” as he brushed past me and put the can on top of the freezer on the back porch; “I may need that later.”
“But, Papaw, we do have indoor plumbing now,” I desperately pleaded as he made his way back to the den.
He simply continued on his journey and dismissively waved me off. I guess I know where I stand now.
It is amazing how just a few events can lead to so much more than we ever bargained for. A wedding leading directly into gambling, car accidents, and an old man peeing in a can; who could have ever guessed? I suppose this is why you often hear, “truth is stranger than fiction.”
Comments
Post a Comment