Tuesday, May 03, 2011

Hope...

"Hope" by Emily Dickinson

Hope is the thing with feathers
That perches in the soul,
And sings the tune – without the words,
And never stops at all,

And sweetest in the gale is heard;
And sore must be the storm
That could abash the little bird
That kept so many warm.

I've heard it in the chillest land,
And on the strangest sea;
Yet, never, in extremity,
It asked a crumb of me.

This past weekend, we went to a wedding of our friends Lisa and Eli. It was a lovely ceremony and you could tell that everyone involved put a lot of work into it to make it just right. I was honored to be amongst the guests and to share in their happy moments.

I love weddings. There's something about them that fills up your stomach with happy feelings. I think that when people cry at weddings, it's because they are so full of good intentions and brimming with such positive energy that it has to escape somewhere. What better place than the windows of the soul?

What I think I love most about weddings is that despite what the statics say or what naysayers would preach, two people decide to create a moment in time where they commit to each other and share their hopes; two become one. Even if a marriage doesn't last, those magical moments where their hearts conjoin and their love seems infinite live on forever. It's positive; it's beautiful, and nothing can erase the communal celebration of love, hope, and trust.

People often times talk about weddings as being new beginnings, but I'd like to think of it as a "great continuing". When a seed is planted, it is not some wholly new experience; the seed planted carries with it all the plants that came before and the potential for many more in the future.

So, to Lisa and Eli... I wish the very best. I hope for them the biggest hopes. I dream for them the most beautiful garden, where they can set down deep roots and grow together in love.

9 comments:

Anonymous said...

Andrew, what a beautiful heart felt post. I loved it...I feel that many people forget about love and it's magic...weddings have a way to bring that all back...

Andrew Thornton said...

When every other word on the news and on the subconscious buzz is "kill" and "murder", I think it's good to be reminded that there is love and that it's still going strong. In the end, Love is all that matters.

Cynthia Thornton said...

What a pretty post! Yes, it is hopeful. I always cry at weddings, even ones on t.v. for some reason. Of course, nowadays I cry (quietly, as if something flew into my eye) every time I see something beautiful or hear a particularly lovely song. When did i become so sentimental? Odd.

Oh and I love that poem. I think I'm beginning to forget that annoying thing Dwayne told me that you could sing her poems to a 'Yellow Rose of Texas'. Thankfully, I can't recall the tune anymore!

mrs beadsley said...

Andrew wonderful post and i love your comment. Love IS all that matters!

Kim Stevens said...

Love is what we were created for - very beautiful post!

Gina Chalfant said...

That poem is in my line up of poetry quotes for my pottery. I love it!

Cynthia Thornton said...

Gina, is that a bird girl in your profile pic? Love it!

Andrew Thornton said...

I love it too!

Gina Chalfant said...

Yes, it is a middle eastern harpy/ bird girl thingamabob! If you have a chance, check out the birdaphant bowl that I just took out of the kiln on my facebook page.