My cousin's youngest son was married last night (to a girl named Mary Beth!) and many of the Butler family turned out for the wedding held in Dallas.
The night before, my cousin Paul hosted the rehearsal dinner at his home. It's a wonderful little Spanish bungalow in an old Dallas neighborhood. Paul is my favorite cousin...he is just a few years older than me and he and Nancy and I used to play together a lot when we were little. He's always had the ability to make me laugh hysterically.
He's a designer and his home is amazing. One bedroom has at least 10 paintings of the Last Supper and several Sacred Heart and Guadalupe depictions. It's so...Paul. :) He also has a great portrait of our grandfather, in his bathroom. The entire effect is amazing and sort of like an art car home.
The wedding reception was in the Old Red Courthouse in Dallas, overlooking Dealy Plaza. Everything was lovely and a great time was had by all.
The best part, for me, was the family who were there. My Dad's sisters, aunts Betty and Emily, at 90 and 84, and my Uncle Oliver, at 93. There were five children in my Dad's family, four of whom had children. It turns out to be very complicated to explain to spouses. :) I'm not sure Ken will ever get it, but I never tire of telling him about the connections.
Because, my motto is: "It's all about the relationships you build." The essence of life is connecting. And my relationships to these people are more precious than I can say.
I wish I had pictures, to share them with you. But the only photo I took turned out terribly.
I have pictures in my mind, though. Uncle Oliver and his five great-grandchildren running around. My cousin George and his wife and two girls (who are young women now!) My sister Barbara and her husband. I could go on and give you all the names...but the point is the love and joy that I feel having been surrounded for two evenings by people who have known and loved me all my life.
A gift.
