Weddings, Reunions and Holidays.....

This seems to be the season for weddings. I know, is not June yet, but in my part of the world, on the small and beautiful island I so miss.....weddings are all the rave these days!!! This past Saturday there was one, on April 18th there is another one and on May 9th still another one!! All involved family, good friends and people I really care about.....and I am missing hem.

Because we moved to Miami, I am missing all these events. This means missing seeing people I care about, reunions with others I haven't seen in years, holidays by the clear waters of the Caribbean, sunsets that take your breath away and the warm feeling of friendship that is so needed by the human spirit!!

Having missed this first one, I am making plans to attend the other two. A wedding is the best moment to see people at their best, happiness cannot be denied and you can see so many of your favorite people in one happy day or days! Because these are sort of destination weddings, other fun activities will be planned and including rehearsal dinners, beach days, relaxing moments with a drink overlooking the sunset. Life is short, things change in a matter of days, moments that we missed don't come back and I am not willing to accept that.

Shopping for Baby, Walking by the Sea....

Yes, I'm back...again! after a couple of weeks away visiting my mother. It has become a routine I don't much care for, but it is necessary and in some ways.... welcome. Here I go again, I guess, contradicting myself in one sentence. It is true, though, I loathe the trips, but enjoy my time there....doesn't make any sense, right? Maybe not, but that's reality for you.

This time I had no encounter with most of my mother's family, which was wonderful. The cousins and aunts I saw I can relate to and don't interfere. Another plus was the new addition to the family: one of my cousins' two month old granddaughter! She is a perfectly adorable baby that smiles and giggles and follows you with her eyes as if she knows you. We went shopping for her and delighted in choosing outfits and toys and other things for this bundle of Joy. I think we are all in need of grandkids......don't think our children will agree. Never mind, we loved it!

While there, my sisters and I went walking by the beach every morning...early. Something I only do there, since I am NOT a morning person. Still in Panama I wake up at the crack of dawn and I'm ready to go around 7:30 a.m. Walk for about 45 minutes, breathing the fresh, salty air and hearing the crash of the waves. There are shells to pick, driftwood to admire and other kindred spirits to greet in this early morning exercise. It is so soothing and we would not survive the stress of most days without these walks. What a wonderful way to start the day!!!

Besides, coming and going to the beach gives us time to talk about so many things, enjoying each others' company as we cannot during most of the day. Life is good, we have discovered, even when we need to travel to Panama so frequently we almost live there!

Perfect South Florida weekend.......

This past weekend was a very good one. Camille came from London for a friend's wedding...well, more than that. Cristina is the daughter of one of our oldest friends. We have been looking forward to this for more than a year. The children are best of friends and haven't seen each other for ages. So this was more like a reunion.

Friday, we had drinks by the beach on a Miami Beach hotel. The boardwalk was inviting, the ocean calm and the sand white. It was not like the beaches we are used to, but the company made up for that! The groom's family and friends came down from Boston and other New England cities....they had a ball. We stayed late and went home content.

Saturday was the big day. We woke up late, had a nice family brunch and went to the pool. Then Camille and I went to the beauty parlor to be pampered....back to the house to get ready. Camille had a date to dance the night away. One of her best friends came as well. The weather was magnificent! Not a cloud in the sky, temperatures in the 70s and a light breeze. Perfect South Florida weather!

The church was lovely and the guests were in such a great mood. The bride looked gorgeous, every detail was just right: from the harp music, to the lighting, to her brother who sang so beautifully it took our breaths away and brought tears to more than a few eyes. I was not expecting anything else.

The reception was at the Bass Museum and it proved to be a perfect venue. The food was so good, the drinks flowed and the music was inviting. The party lasted until the early hours, with everyone dancing! When we went home, it was with a light step and a light heart. What a fabulous party! What a way to start a new life.

On Sunday, we got together again with our friends and their families, the bride and groom and their friends. Beach day...well, in typical South Florida fashion, Sunday was cloudy, breeze and temperatures dipped into the 40s! All to be expected......The day ended up with great Cuban food and great conversation and a drink or two. A completely successful weekend!!