Weddings and other celebrations

Social media in general, and Facebook in particular, have provided me with some pleasant surprises. Take the photo to the right, for example. It was taken at a wedding 34 years ago today, on Dec. 31, 1977. My mom is on the left, my dad is second from the right. The groom, Ron, is on the right, and the best man, Allen, is second from the left between my mom and dad. Ron, Allen and mom, along with about 6 other people, worked together at a school that was part of a state prison.

Yep, my suburban-white-housewife-mom worked in a prison. Best professional experience of her life, but that's for another post.

On Facebook last summer, there was a wave of new pages centering on people's memories of their hometowns. I joined one for the town where I grew up, and got lots of questions like "Are you Bill's sister," or "Didn't you used to be on the radio?" (Answer to both: yes). One woman named Jean caught me off guard by asking, "Are you Barbara's daughter?" Turns out, Jean graduated from high school with one of my brothers - and is Ron's wife. We became FB friends.

Tonight, Jean posted this picture of my parents at her wedding. I'd never seen it before and when I did, I nearly cried.  Mom's younger there than I am today, but it was my dad's expression, in particular, that caught me off guard. It's as though he's looking straight at me from 1977 as I sit here on the cusp of 2012, the camera somehow acting as a communication conduit transcending time and space, and he's trying to tell me something. But what? He looks truly happy and content. I know for a fact that wasn't his regular state of mind at the dawn of 1978, so I like to think that's how he is feeling today, wherever his spirit now makes its home.

Here's the kicker: I saw my reflection in my father's face. I've spent my life being told how much I look like my dad, but I never saw it - until tonight.

I'm still trying to take it in, but Jean is an angel for posting the photo. I greatly appreciate it. And to my dad I wish a Happy New Year in heaven - or wherever. Whatever you're trying to tell me, I'll figure it out eventually!