Now I lay me down to sleep,
I know Jesus promised my soul to keep.
If I should leave Earth before I awake,
This list has been written for my families’ sake.
On my wedding day:
- a pastel rainbow bouquet, it means “God keeps His promises”, and has long been my bridal theme
- those who have observed know the highest honor is a single white rose, no need to throw money at other flowers (consider taking flowers to a nursing home)
- a white blouse from my closet – I’ll get my fancy dress when I get to the honeymoon
- JJ’s outfit will serve as bridesmaid, someone will need to explain to MJT that she’s leaving with me – seriously, I’ve thought about it, and I believe it should be there, mom knows why
- let my feet be free – you know how I am about shoes and tucked-in blankets
- light makeup in shades of brown – save the clown look for the uniform
- there should be two receptions, one North, one South, and both languages covered in both places
- fill the hall with happy memories – and you should add what you find in the blogs
- most of the music is in my car – especially GVB and Selah, and the Homecoming recording of Going Home – play the good stuff, it’s a celebration, and I’ll be enjoying my reception enthusiastically
- have the Mark Mitchum videos handy, so that everyone can share in the music
- like it or not, call the family of the guy in TN – his family is dear to me, all of them
- find the young man who was once a child in my home – he is still dear to me
- find the cousin that my friend knows – she’s a part of my family, and we’ve stayed in touch somewhat
- find the people of Cols SW – especially RS and D3, Elf knows them
- find the tech guy, and have him find my favorite submariner and the grumpy guru
- find my neighbor, she’ll be trying to find me – her friendship has been a blessing, and I promise I’ll try some of that cultural food – she’ll just have to bring it to me – make sure she knows how
When it’s time for the toasts (or roasts):
- remind everyone that I’d like to hang out with them in 300 years, and how Jesus has made that possible
- there isn’t room enough to say how each person has been so precious to me, hopefully I got the message across in person, or we can discuss it in a century or two
- ‘my kids‘ – you have truly given me the joys (and jolts) of virtual motherhood – remember what I tried to teach you, that you can always run to Jesus, no matter when, no matter what, no matter why – don’t let the world convince you otherwise
- my pals at BC – you have been an awesome blessing in tough seasons – thanks ladies, it has meant a lot
- my brother & sisters out west – I promise I’ll share a full shot with you, you just have to bring it to me – I’ll watch for you, and you know I mean it
- my church families, you have enriched my life in countless ways, whether over many years or few – thank you
- my nieces – how I wish I could have watched more closely as you grew up… I’m proud of the young ladies you’ve become – your mama has done well – we’ll pull the perfect prank on her in a few hundred years, ‘k?
- PM, LJ, LD, BKG – there are no words…your friendships have been awesome to me, the blessings can’t be counted, but a lot of them haven’t been forgotten – thank you
- Mom, Dad – yeah, forget it, you’re not hearing this anyway… I love you, y’know….immeasurably. Thanks for choosing life – however interesting it’s been (and it has been), I got to live it, which is more than millions can say. I want to have all those unfinished conversations in a few hundred years – I’ll watch for you, and you know I mean it
- Wallers – will I see you at the last Family Reunion?
Recessional:
- take me to Grandpa, I’ll stay with him, and y’all can visit us
- go minimal on the carriage, it’s the honeymoon that counts
When the packages get unwrapped:
- the files & papers are an unruly mess, but I’ve been a little more careful with the ones for financial planning – the uncle holds some, the money guy holds some, and the last is with NAC…
- the Ohio document is hopefully still in force, since it hasn’t been changed or updated
- I owe Discover, Kroger Visa, and Great Lakes, holder of the college notes
- the rest of my accounts & pwds are on a strangely named file in my laptop – you’ll need some help from the tech guy to figure them out
- the Bible picture over my lingerie cabinet goes back to my nieces’ mother, she’ll take care of it from there
- when my youngest niece turns 15, get her a True Images Bible, if it’s still the one on being God’s precious daughter – I’m still obsessive about fair & equitable