A Wedding Gift to Laura and Sam

Here is the poem Jerry Smith (Linda's father and Laura's grandfather) wrote and recited at the wedding.

Laura, princess of parents' hopes and dreams,
you always wanted to dress up, never wanted to grow up,
but you did with the voice and beauty to lead a choir of angels.

Sam, son of two Muses, what an auspicious birth.
At a young age mastered a pedal car, Hot Wheels and
later a Mazda RX7.  You focused early energy on growing tall.
Now it takes size 14 shoes to keep you grounded.

As children, you crossed paths for the first time
at Camp Pyoca, each invisible to the other.

A decade later, in a basement room at the same camp,
you huddled together as staff under a blue tarp of togetherness.
Curious Sam, reaching out to explore, cut his finger on a ceiling tile

Spinning a web of entanglement for the summer and beyond,
Laura said, Let me help you with that nasty cut.
Soon, you were a duo, twosome, couple, pair,
two parachutes in the air, hoping never to come down.

Today you make a pledge to begin
a journey on earth.  May it be long and fruitful.

Each offers yourself freely to the other,
no strings attached.  You promise to love, honor,
and cherish the other, come what may.

We gathered here to celebrate with you,
wish you a life of abundant blessings and joyful surprises.

Laura, the Muses are giving you a precious gift.
Treat Sam with love and respect.

Sam, the Riggins are giving you a precious gift.
Treat Laura with love and respect.

When the other laughs, let your laughter bubble up
till you double over and fall on the floor.

When the other is sad, let sorrow hang from you
like Spanish moss from a live oak.

When your marriage ship sails
on a steady course through a calm sea,
find time to dream and plan new adventures.

When blown off course by stormy winds,
seek safe harbor and with a cup of cocoa
or a bottle of beer, reminisce over where you've been
and how far you've come together.

Remember to use these magic words in time of need.
            I didn't mean to.
            I'm sorry.
            Please forgive me.

Seal them with a kiss
before you go to sleep at night
and when you wake in the morning.

You are fortunate to begin your journey together
in the same faith.  It provides a strong foundation
for your marriage.

Keep each other in prayers as steeped in care
as your loved ones' hearts and hands have cared for you.

God willing, sixty or seventy years from now,
you will hold hands, reminisce at lakeside,
listen to the yodeling loons
and admire a striking sunset.

May it be so and may the years between
fill you with the generous love
you now share with us and each other.