“There were distinct remembrances of two most important days gone by.”
Requested to transport the bride and groom in our carriage from the church to the reception hall several blocks away, it was a most delightful Saturday evening for all.
There were oohs and aahs as we drove the prancing red-white-blue plumed and red-tasseled big bay mare, Mae, into the church parking lot pulling the two-seated classic vehicle, even though we’d left the fringed-top at home, because of heavy winds and threatening rains.
Picture taking of the newlyweds stalled loading, so we kept Mae on the move, assuring readiness for her job. At appointed time, we pulled behind caution cones, and assistants made sure there wasn’t any carriage jarring, as the bride lifted many layers of long white gown into the seat, and groom slipped in beside.
Driving down the main drag, there were hoorahs, honking, clapping and congratulatory remarks which triplicated as guests greeted arrival at the reception.
Then was when pleasure expanded further for this driver, to Mae’s disgust, as we spent more than two hours giving carriage rides for wedding guests. The kids had an obvious good time, but it seemed moms, dads, grandpas, grandmas, aunts, uncles, and many friends might have even enjoyed the tours more.
Nearly forty three years ago, we had the red-tasseled palomino Shetland gelding team, Trigger and Pat, hooked to the one-seated, bicycle-tired renovated buggy. While headers held the rig calm, we assisted our new white gowned bride into the seat, stepped up beside her and drove down Main Street, and out to her parent’s farm.
Best men had attached beer cans behind and chalked “Just Married” on the buggy, so there was ample cheering for our drive recorded for perpetuity by the local paper and in a photograph hanging on our home wall.
Thirty years later, our famous stallion Zane was hooked to a snazzy borrowed surrey, and we had the privilege of driving our son and his new bride up and back down another Main Street, again to considerable well greetings.
Reminds us of Ecclesiastes 3:15: “That which is now already has been, as history repeats itself.” Thus, Matthew: 22:4: “Everything is prepared, come to the wedding feast.” So, Genesis 50:9: “And, there went the carriage and horseman; and it was a very great company.”
+++ALLELUIA+++