Carrie’s Painting of the Week
Pugster
By Carrie Jacobson
My stepdaughter – who, by now, is simply my daughter – was married on Saturday, to a lovely man named Jon. They are both well into their 30s, and this was the second marriage for both of them. The ceremony – a church service, with tuxedos and bridesmaids dresses and a full-length white gown with train – included Erika’s daughter and young son, Jon’s mother and young daughter, and Peter and me. Erika had asked us both to walk down the aisle with her, and to give her away.
Erika dressed in the rectory. Then she and her maid of honor (daughter Samantha), bridesmaid Margaret, flower girl Jenna (Jon’s daughter) and I were to walk down Elm Street, and around the corner to the front doors of the church.
The day had been rainy and foggy and dark, but when we opened the doors of the rectory and stepped onto Elm Street – blocks from where Erika grew up – the sun edged out from behind the clouds.
In our pretty dresses, carrying our beautiful flowers, we walked the 50 yards from the one door to the other. Cars went by and honked their horns. Drivers waved and shouted “Good Luck,” and it felt like we were walking on rays of sun and promises and happiness and love – and indeed, we were.
To my utter astonishment, I burst into tears twice – once when the doors of the church opened, and Peter and I took Erika’s arms to walk her up the aisle, and again when Peter and Erika danced at the reception.
There is nothing like a marriage to make you understand – again and again – the power of love, the beauty of commitment, and the healing that is possible inside a family.
If you want to commission me to make a painting of your pet, email me at carrieBjacobson@gmail.com, or call – 860-442-0246.
Going to be in Northampton, Mass., over Memorial Day weekend? Come to the Paradise City Art Festival, and visit me, in booth 318 in the Morgan Building. American Style magazine recently named this the third-best art fair in the country!
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