Prayers, Blessings & Wishes for Saint

Beautiful stories!!

Thank you for taking time to share them.

Apple---I love your signature line----that 'bout says it all!!  Peace and Love !

Lucy, I still think about kbugmom a lot too, and her kids.  Maura, that story was wonderful ... I can see her in the footlights grinning for you

Where Have All the Flowers Gone...?

Part 2 

When my husband Franz and I were planning our Austrian church wedding in 1983, we were really pleased that most of my immediately family from the U.S. were able to come over to attend and spend some time with us beforehand. Our parents, my brother Chris and my sisters Gail, Pat and Roberta, as well as my favourite aunt "Tia" were all here for a week of festivities leading up to the wedding.

Pat attended alone, as she and Greg were not all that "fluid" financially at that particular point in time. She really needed to be busy while she was here, she admitted, so as not to be sad that Greg had not accompanied her, so she decided to take over anything and everything that involved floral wedding preparations as her major distraction. I remember that 2 nights before the wedding, a bunch of us were sitting in the outdoor garden of a local restaurant and Pat asked me what I was going to wear on my head (to go with my white cotton Laura Ashley bridal dress). When I told her "Nothing - The white dress and church wedding are already almost too much for me as it is!", she was insistent that I absolutely HAD to have something on my head to go with such a "romantic" dress. I was equally adamant about NOT wearing anything but my shoulder-length curls, so I was doing my best to change the subject, but for the next hour or so, sitting in that garden, Pat kept pulling off pieces of the hedge behind her and twiddling with them in her lap. After a while, she presented me with a leafy green, mock wreath for my head and insisted that I try it on. Everybody there agreed that it looked great. She then said she would go out and get the "proper" flowers and greens for it the next day and there was no going back...

My mother-in-law has always been an avid hobby gardener and she had been doing lots of planning for all the floral decorations at our reception. When I told her that Pat was a floral designer, she was delighted. Instead of a "rehearsal dinner" the night before the wedding, my mother-in-law invited all of the American guests and Franz's siblings to an informal meal at their place, followed by all of us pitching in, under Pat's direction, to create the centrepieces for each table the next day. She and Pat had selected tons of flowers and embellishments, which were all laid out on her huge table after supper, and each of us was given instructions by Pat as to our role in the proceedings. Oh yeah, and Pat also insisted that the guests absolutely HAD to throw rice at the church -something that at that time was NEVER done in Austria - so she had bought the material for us to make little pink satin tulips that you filled with rice and "shook" at the couple as they walked past after the ceremony. I was doubtful...

and on the day...

Pat insisted that she had to help me do my hair and makeup before the wedding, so we locked ourselves into a bedroom and she took over my bridal makeover. The mass was to begin at 2 and it was about 12.30 when we started. She curled my hair and started with my makeup - and suddenly there was thunder and a cloudburst outside. I started to cry that my wedding was going to be ruined by rain and Pat would not let me look out the window. She said "Just look at me and let me do this or you will ruin your makeup. It is NOT going to be raining when we go to the church. It CAN'T!" Once again, I gave in and let her get on with my transformation. Anyway, an hour later, when we were all assembling to walk up the hill to the church, the sun was brilliantly shining and all was well.

Every time I look at my wedding album I am always reminded of Pat's magic (and perseverance). She had made us prepare a whole basket of those "rice tulips" to hand out in front of the church and the Austrians were absolutely enchanted with the idea. I wore a wreath of ivy and baby's breath on my head - and it was beautiful and absolutely perfect with the dress...and the reception hall was lovely with all of our homemade floral centrepieces.

I will forever miss her whimsy, her grace and all of the love that she passed on in her art. We were all so lucky that she passed our way.

Ohh, Maura,

I read you last 3 instalements, now am back home. You write beautifully, from the heart and the picture your words paint are as precious as those they speak of.

Such spirit, love and beauty.

BLess you, and all of Saint's family. Thinking of you  Molly.

Take care,

Shiny

Thank you from the bottom of my heart Maura for continuing with these stories.  We can't sit with you and reiminesce in person, but this is soooo close, short of that.  I love that Pat did that for you on your special day ... I have one sister and I'm not sure we'd be that creative, although we'd both say afterward that we wished we had been!!!!  I hope you and your other sisters have been in contact by phone these last few weeks to share with each other too.  Love and hugs to all reading, most especially anyone in Saint/Pat's family.  I'm so glad we're still gathering here

awwwh she looks like a sparkling angel

BEAUTIFUL!!

coonie, where are you located?  i don't think we "met" before this room, and now i feel almost like I know you.  would love an in-person chance

Cinderella, in case you "pop" in here. You look beautiful. Am still sending you lots of strong heart felt "vibes" from over here, and include you in my prayers. Take care, take very good special care of your precious self.

All my best to all.

Shiny

Bless her cotton socks! Thanks Faith. Am already in bed, so prayers on the way.

You take care "ya hear".

xxShiny

her hair is so beautiful she'll have no trouble mending.

prayers.. and thanks to Faith and Maura.

Sending gentle healing vibes for our little Cindarella........

(((((((((((Cinderella))))))))))

Hope you're healing well!!

You and your family are always in my thoughts and prayers!

My thoughts and prayers are with you today!

I pray the happy memories of past Mother's Days give you strength for today!

((((((((((((gentle hugs)))))))))))))))