Nov 4

November 4, 2006

The wedding finally happened. Byron and Juliet were married today and what a production it was. We started with dinner at Byron’s mother’s house at 12:00. Well, it was scheduled at noon, at which point the tables were being delivered and set up. We actually got started about 1:30. We went with Itri and Meeks. When the dinner started there was a long line and we were standing about in the middle when a lady none of us knew came and took us all to the front of the line. We felt like such budgers but she was adamant that was where she wanted us. They served pulled pork, beans, potato salad, tossed salad and macaroni and cheese. I guess they always serve macaroni and cheese. Even for our branch Thanksgiving dinner they’re serving mac and cheese. We didn’t talk to many people, but 2 drunks sat by us at the end and wanted to “box” with the Elders. They politely declined and we left.

The Elders had to return to Show Low so we were on our own for the wedding, scheduled for 5:00, started at 6:45. I’m learning to see the wait as relaxation time. The wedding was honestly beautiful. We even contributed something. At the dinner the bride, Juliet, asked if we could get a copy of the Wedding March. The fam will be proud to learn that I found it in i-tunes, purchased it and burned it to a CD. She had 14 bridesmaids and 14 groomsmen, 3 flower girls, a ring bearer, and miscellaneous other attendants. Her wedding dress was beautiful. The groom and groomsmen were in white tuxedoes with burgundy shirts. After the ceremony we waited around for another hour and nothing happened so we finally left. Apache weddings are even more boring than Mormon weddings…and this was an Apache Mormon wedding. At least at our receptions we talk to each other. These people sat around all that time and didn’t even talk to their family. Fortunately, we were lucky enough to sit next to a retired Kindergarten teacher. She had taught in Cibecue for many years and was quite delightful. She explained that the groom has to give the bride’s family gifts. They gave them a basket of food and other items we couldn’t see.

After we got home President Benito called and asked if I’ll play the piano for our meetings. He’s so cute. He said a little bluebird came to his house and told him I can play the piano. He reminded me that we lost our piano player last week. It was quite a joke because the counselor who was released always played the hymn CD for the meetings.