I am giving y’all fair warning before you proceed. This is not going to be a column about sports; that can wait until next week, and I greatly appreciate the publisher of The Ledger Independent, Jennifer Marshall Donahue, for giving me the freedom to express my views when I divert from the world of sports from time to time.
My sincere intention regarding the following thoughts will be an attempt to write this directly from the heart. As the old expression states so well, I am “flying from the seat of my pants” as I try to impart what is circling around in my head on this lovely June morning.
In a few days, my life will be changed forever, and that may come as a shock to those believe I am just an old curmudgeon. The people who know me best already know what I’m referring to; at times I can be, for the lack of a better term, a grumpy old man. I cannot promise that will change in a significant way, but I am certain that the candid thoughts I am about to express will be as straightforward as anything I have ever written, and I will try to not be overly sappy or maudlin.
At this point, you may be saying, “what in the world are you trying to say, old man?”
OK, here goes:
Rather amazingly to me at this point in my life, I will be walking down the aisle Friday evening to marry the love of my life. Even more incredulous is that there is someone who is willing to share their life with me. That someone is Angie Brant, and even though we have been in a relationship for more than a decade, getting married is still immensely meaningful. There are times I question what the heck she is thinking, but I could not be more honored and thrilled she will be taking my hand in holy matrimony.
I feel so blessed at this point in my life that our love for each other will be celebrated in front of the people we care about the most. Those folks know who they are, and they include her son Andrew and his significant other Josie, my son Chris and grandson Owen, her mother Pam, as well as numerous extended family members and dear friends.
If I tell you that I’m not rather nervous about the wedding, I would not be telling the truth, but I believe that feeling is all just part of the anxious anticipation of what many call “The Big Day.” We are both hoping that the evening goes smoothly, and we feel that it will. Part of my nervousness can undoubtedly be described as nervous excitement, and despite how I may come across to some folks, I am excited.
I kid her about not being the most patient person in the world, but for her to be willing to put up with me for the rest of our lives is truly incredible, and demonstrates just what a patient, kind and loving person she truly is. As mentioned in previous columns, yours truly can be rather difficult on occasion. However, all that really matters is what is in my heart, which is that my love for Angie is everlasting, and for that, I feel extremely blessed and grateful.
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“True love is the only heart disease that is best left to “run on” – the only affection of the heart for which there is no help, and none desired.” – Mark Twain
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