Mark, being a big fan of LARPing (live action role play) had all kinds of accoutrements for my costume, so I was well dressed for the event. Part of this new chapter in my life is saying yes to unfamiliar things. We checked in and headed to where the action was. I met all sorts of players; Lucinda, the war-weary gladiator resigned to battle in the never-ending search for her family; Rune, the wise and powerful warrior with an arsenal of healing potions; Acorn, the man of the trees who was somehow annoying to everyone; FellStar, (Mark) a tall dwarf who was very sensitive about his beard; Cadenza, who regaled us with mournful tunes on her ukulele; Eres, a warrior in full armor who in “real life” had spent years in the military, and many more. Turns out it was useful for me to be a farmer; we collected seeds in a pouch, and it was officially acknowledged into a card that may impact the future plot line. People gotta eat! Of course I participated in the battles, too. I was an archer, and made strikes by throwing little packets and saying, “4 Silver!” People build up powers, spells, scrolls and potions which add to their strength. Quite fun.
The house concert went very well. I did freestyle improv, jazz standards, classical pieces and my songs. I’d love to do that more.
And then I was with family in Denver. We had meals together, hikes, went to Meowwolf, an unbelievable environment museum, (see pics) and just enjoyed being together.
We had a rehearsal dinner, and then it was the wedding day! I set up the keyboard and mic, and all was well, but when it was time to play, no sound. I did whirlwind troubleshooting and got it back, but then in the middle of doing my wedding song it all fritzed out again. Plus, it started raining. I had brought my yoga mat just in case and draped it over the keyboard and kept playing while Eva stood over me with an umbrella till the rain stopped. The sound guy had planned to give me a head mic but didn’t get around to it, so I tried to bring my own mic over for the ceremony but the cable wasn’t long enough, so I would just have to project. The wedding party, Greg and Care came down, and of course it all went great, and it was beautiful. I was extremely honored to officiate, but afterwards, seeing the pictures, I realized just how underdressed I was. Thankfully it was a non-issue.
The reception was incredible, the speeches moving, and suddenly it was the next day and time for us all to disperse. We said our goodbyes and I began the next leg towards Seattle.
Out of the blue, I was contacted through my website by Ed. Turns out we had been in a movie together as kids, and he had tracked down the movie and me, and shared it. I knew I had made the movie for Coronet Films, but had forgotten what it was called, but now I know; “Getting Ready for School”. It was surreal seeing myself as a nine year old, being filmed in my own room and my own kitchen with that horrid wallpaper.
Ed lives in Fort Collins, which was exactly on my path out of Denver, so we met, “caught up” 57 years later, and now I have a “new” friend!
I’m writing from the historic Elk Mountain Hotel. The original owner was a musician and knew about the famous musicians passing through between Denver and Salt Lake City, and would invite them to stay, and offer them a performance space. The Garden Pavilion hosted such luminaries as Louis Armstrong, Gene Krupa, Tommy Dorsey and many more. The building was rumored to have springs in the floor, but really it was built with green boards which warped. It burnt down, and now all there is is a tiny plaque designating the spot where it stood. History is everywhere.
This is already a long post, but a couple people wanted to read what I prepared for the wedding, so here it is.
Care. Greg. Here we are. When you asked me to officiate your wedding I was thrilled and honored. Thank you! Care, I’ve known you your whole life, and you’ve come a long way from the scrawny little kid my kids loved to play with. You’ve become a poised, smart, wonderful human being. And Greg, the day I met you I was taken by your friendliness and gentleness. And watching you together when you were first falling in love, I was touched by how gentle you were with each other. There was no snarkiness, masked as sarcastic humor. You respected each other and showed a love that has obviously grown into something very special.
And now, today, right now, you are publicly declaring your love for each other for all of us assembled here to witness. This is a sacred moment, because this declaration of love reminds us all that Love is the foundation of everything and gives us hope for the world.
Today you are saying to each other that this foundation of love is a given, that it will sustain you and keep you as a team when you inevitably face challenges. It is the “glue” that keeps you feeling safe and supported with each other. And it will change; so much! You each will change, and maybe in ways your partner didn’t expect. Love is the thing that adapts, that allows, that understands that the you of today can’t possibly be the same forever. And isn’t that wonderful?! So, by the power vested in me by you two, let’s get you married!
I understand you each have something you’d like to say to each other..
VOWS
The breaking of the glass has several meanings, and it will be the final moment of this ceremony, when you are all welcome to hoot and holler and make all kinds of noise! I’d like to suggest breaking the glass is a reminder that joy is balanced with sorrow, what is whole can be broken, and we are all on this journey together, so let’s be gentle with each other.
With this in mind: Do you, Care, wish to marry Greg, to love and cherish and be there for him as you learn and grow in your love together?
Do you, Greg, wish to marry Carolyn, to love and cherish and be there for her as you learn and grow in your love together?
Rings
I pronounce you married!