Surprise!

Sometimes surprises bring good happiness. One of the women in our Learning Center is getting married. This is a second marriage for her, and a wonderful encouragement for those of us who are older and would like to find someone too. I wondered if she had any idea that the bridal shower was planned. Surely she saw all the extra people wandering into the Library - or at least the huge boxes of pastries and carafes of coffee being carted upstairs.

We gathered together in front of the fireplace, inhaling the wonderful aromas of food while we waited for the suspect to arrive. She sauntered down the hallway chatting with her colleague, little suspecting what awaited her around the corner. "Surprise!" we all yelled. And she was! What a grand time we had querying her about the upcoming wedding and honeymoon. We who deal in ordinary life were hungry for details about special events unfolding nearby. We were eager to gather a bit of vicarious joy.

Perhaps we were all a bit jealous of her happiness on the one hand, and relieved we were not going through the stress of lining up myriad details and dealing with the ensuing changes that would surely hit during the settling in process on the other hand. Between the crackling fire behind us, the delicious cinnamon rolls and coffee before us, and the fellowship of women as only women can know, the morning was delightful.

Though reticent to end the celebration, we all had schedules and piles of paperwork drawing us back to the everyday. We will continue to be happy for our friend and pray that her wedding and upcoming days will go smoothly and bring much pleasure and peace to them both.