We were invited to a wedding in Charleston, South Carolina , a sort of Christmas wedding...as it is mid December. We drove down, just my husband and I...as children were not invited...and left our little munchkin for his first spend the night with a friend. I was hoping he could have come with us, and was anxious about leaving him.
It was a 2 hour drive, rain all the way, cold...but we did stop for a few hours that Saturday, before the wedding to go to some antique malls. We were running late, so I did not have time to shop and take pictures...but will try to do that another day. We were going to a dear friend of our oldest daughter's wedding , there have been so many weddings...and I have declined another earlier as I am not up to celebrating . But I thought , with this wedding, that I do not know if we will have a chance to go to another wedding in downtown Charleston, which my followers know I love...in my life again. Lots to consider, I have a very serious health issue going on with my father right now, and that is a hard element added to my life as well. I know it says, God does not give us more than we can handle...but I have been wondering to myself and out loud, how much more God ?
We stayed at the Mills House on Meeting St., a very historic hotel that my mother had taken me to when I was about 11 or 12 years old, and then I have been there through the years, usually with her, about 3 more times.
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| Front area , marble floors everywhere, and Christmas trees |
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| Hotel dining area |
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| Chandeliers everywhere |
Antique huge marble bust , with Christmas cookies to the side that I grabbed to take with us when we left the next day.
Since I was unable to take any pictures during the wedding, I went over there the day we left, and was lucky enough that Sunday service was over, and a church deacon let me in to take pictures. Old churches, are full of beauty and charm , this one is fairly small...by today's standards , but truly beautiful in a subtle non-grand fashion. Beauty is so rich and deep when it is subtle.
I will show this church from the viewpoint of our being here the night before for the wedding.
We walked the block from the hotel that night, in a drizzle and cold. I had a red dress on, and my husband wore his blue suit. Our oldest daughter, Rachel was a bridesmaid. Her husband, my son-in-law...is home safely from Afghanistan...and he was there too. Here is a picture of them at the reception. A couple so in love that you can literally see it when you look at them. So happy.
When you walk inside the big doors of this church, you walk on old planks with worn marks from parishioners, wedding parties, and funeral processions. I looked down and thought that as we walked to our seats that night. Those decorations, pine branches and pine cones with a tied white satin ribbon are from the wedding.
Then we were led to our little cubicle, area, that this church has for it's parishioners and guests. You go through a little door like this...
Then you sit on soft blue velvet and look around. Which I did. Again, very hard to be at such a happy occasion as a wedding, when our hearts are not healed. It reminds us both that we will never be able to have a wedding for our Sarah. I am trying to make myself enjoy ' life ', enjoy other young people simply living still. I read that in some book, to surround yourself with life.
It is very , very hard to do. I am unsure if it is working for me at all, but maybe it is.
I remember listening to the the church organ, looking at the large marble plaques, the windows with wreaths .I liked that right beside us I saw this memorial..and one of the person's name was Valentine.
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| Heavy, large memorial plaques carved from marble were all around the church. |
The church uses this main dropped chandelier for lighting , and a few sconces. I remember looking up at it and the buttresses of the supports on the ceiling of the church. So many historic architectural elements to see.
Old plantation wood shutters flanked the windows.
A view from their balcony , where the soloist sang for us guests that night an exquisite rendition of " The Lord's Prayer ". Her voice soared down to us below, the most beautiful version I have ever heard .
The bride came down the aisle looking radiant and joyful, lovely in her flowing white dress...walking towards her new groom. New life , new love , promises made to one another in front of witnesses and God. So there we sat, at a wedding in downtown Charleston, of two young people, full of love, hope, dreams , at the entry of their new life. The priest announced they were husband and wife, the groom kissed his new bride...and we all clapped and smiled.
I can say it was a difficult thing, to be here, for both my husband and I ...as difficult as I thought it would be. We walked out the doors after the ceremony, it was dark and cold outside...and all the people were heading back to the Mills house for the reception. I did not take many pictures there that night, but there was lots of young people laughing and dancing...and older people...and the food was Southern shrimp and grits, they had a huge side of Roast beef , dips and cheeses and fruits and crab cakes , stuffed mushrooms and ham biscuits. Plus wine and then a large chocolate velvet wedding cake , decorated with white frosting and fresh bright red roses for dessert.
We sat and listened to the band, and watched life all around us.
I will try to do an entry before Christmas of a few more sights we saw before we left that Sunday. Christmas decorations on some homes, antique shop views from the street. I know many of you are busy this season, enjoy your day,
love strong,
Gina
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