Jul

freedom + love = JOY

By Kath

Our Founding Fathers

On July 3, my son Judd, married his beloved Kelly at the National Constitution Center in Philly. As you might imagine, it is quite the dramatic venue, dedicated to our Constitution and its signers, our Founding Fathers. Add this to the national holiday weekend, throw in a military wedding and oh, yes, a funeral; well, you have many, many layers of Love present all at the same time.

I was on an emotional roller coaster most of the time choking up over one thing or the other as my heart opened wider and wider, letting go of past and expanding to embrace more and more Love – Daring us each to be more Love. By the by, I wasn’t the only one. Anyone in the vicinity of this wedding was feeling the Power of Love and is forevermore transformed even if just a little.

From the very first when the kids checked into the availability of the National Constitution Center as their venue back in September, 2009 and found July 3 available, somehow we “knew” this was prophetic of something that had the potential of being big, transformative, and profound. Paradoxically, the week long festivities began with a funeral. Kelly’s grandfather, Pop, passed away June 24. Kelly’s birthday was June 25 and Pop and was buried on Monday, June 28. In the spirituality business we soon know to pay close attention when paradox or irony appear -for truth is now available to those who would but see. It was Pop’s idea, I’m sure, to prime the pump and get our hearts opening up. By his returning to Well Being – back into the fullness of Love, he beckoned us to reach into consciousness and follow him to feel the fullness of what he is now.

Peg, Kelly, Francine and Aileen at Geno's, Philly

With our minds now quietened to some degree and our hearts more available, we were pulled forward into the wedding which by now had a life and momentum of its own well established. By we, I mean my new family, the Kelly’s. This family is applied spirituality in application. They immediately and without hesitation or reservation opened their homes and hearts to me. We went to the funeral together, to the fitting of the wedding gown together; we wept together and partied together. I slept in Kelly’s old bedroom, and was even welcomed by their life-long neighbors. I had no idea going to Philly that I would come home with a new family let alone of such heart and quality. I knew my dream of having a daughter was coming true, but little did I understand that my life was expanding to include the entirety of family. How amazing is that? Did I mention the food? Turns out that Philadelphia has it’s own food that one has to try: the Philly Cheese Steak Sandwich, Tastykakes, and Water Ice to name a few. I tried them all; I delighted in the Water Ice (sort of a cross between gelato and a slushy). Tastykakes are the answer to Twinkies and kinda fun. The Cheese Steak Sandwich was not my cupper with cheeze wiz. But, what the heck, it was so much fun eating it with my new family.

Jarrod and Judd Sing The Power of Love

On Friday evening Judd and Kelly hosted a party at JDMcGillacudy’s on 7th. True to the concept of love including, not excluding, the kids chose to include everyone who had traveled from out of town for the “rehursal dinner”. This was a magical evening of family reunions, karaoke, dancing and of course, more food. Everyone was caught up in the party. One by one, then by twos, threes and even more, people got up and belted out their favorite songs on stage whilst everyone else danced and enjoyed the music. Later in the evening I was surprised to see both my sons doing a duet to “The Power of Love” by Huey Lewis and the News and the movie, Back to the Future. Come to think of it, Back to the Future and The Power of Love pretty much describes the whole event vibrationally speaking. It was past; it was present; it was future; it was love of family, country, friends physical and nonphysical. It was gratitude; it was appreciation; it was joy; it was fun; it was delight; it was magical; it was meaningful; it was expansive, inclusive and fulfilled. We were in our Oneness, aligned with Who We Really Are.

On Saturday once the Constitution Center closed, the events people magically transformed the interior for the wedding and reception. Everyone appeared one by one dressed in the finery. Grandparents, parents, friends, cousins, mothers (both Kelly and Judd have two each), fathers and brothers were all there to witness and be immersed in this multi-layered event. The music continued to be the clues to the plethora of vibrations present: Jesu, Joy of Man’s Desiring summoned Love at the beginning, followed by the The Secret Wedding from Braveheart and the recessional to All You Need Is Love as the newlyweds went through the sword arch. Readings were from 1st Corinthians 13, The Velveteen Rabbit by Margery Williams, and the poem, The Master Speed, by Robert Frost.

Upstairs with the view out to Independence Hall and the Liberty Bell the reception commenced. First, there was dancing! No usual order or predictability to this reception. Everyone was bid to join in and did. Later, there were toasts and speeches. Between every course there was more dancing. Everyone danced with everyone in groups, pairs, singles, circles. On the wall was a slide show of Kelly and Judd growing up 3000 miles apart. Judd at the Pacific Ocean boogie boarding; Kelly at the Jersey Shore. Judd playing baseball; Kelly rowing in high school. Judd at Ohio State; Kelly at Annapolis. Judd getting his aviator’s wings; Kelly getting her masters. With each slide they were winding their way towards each other finally meeting on their first deployment to the Middle East on the USS Belleau Wood. On Tuesday, July 6, Judd went out to sea trials on the USS Boxer.

I wish so much all of you could have been enveloped in this. I truly wish the whole world could have, for but a moment, felt all that we felt: the beauty, the healing, the possibilities, the magic and come away changed forever for the Good as we have. Life IS! We expand and become More, which is the perfection of the way it is and the perfection of being natural Creatures – Source Energy in physical format – all of us in this Universe of Love playing in Joy. Enjoy a few more pictures. And, of course, thanks for reading! Kath