Bill's Musings

21 years ago, this night, we were gathering together and running through our wedding ceremony, doing a dry run, getting things just right. Of course, you can never get everything just right for such an important event. If you could, there’s be no funny videos out there of kids making a mess of things as you walk down the aisle, or the groom’s pants falling down, of a bridesmaid passing out, or any of a myriad of things that can and do go wrong. It simply makes us human.

It was a time where I was the most nervous I had ever been. In the ensuing years, we have had plenty of times where nerves were frayed, but never since have I felt as nerve-wracked as this particular moment in time. Upon reflection, it was the only time in my life that I can remember having damp palms. I remember seeing the wedding video, with me wiping my hands on my pants while I waited to walk down the aisle.

As I mentioned in my hot tub blog yesterday, the last year has been a tumultuous one for various reasons. But these events have only made our family unit stronger. And so, when I see the number ‘21’, I will always remember it as the anniversary that signifies how we truly reflected on where we have been, and how we got there.

21 years. In terms of earth’s history, I suppose that’s not very long. A mere dimple on a pimple on a flea’s face, so to speak. Yet, in terms of our history, it’s fairly significant. The next paragraph will sum up some of the things my wife Anne has been, become, or done:

Wife, mother, Autism advocate, lately diagnosed with Asperger’s herself, musician, composer, author, blogger, business owner, teacher, survivor, caregiver, personal support worker, taxi driver, lover, fighter, home maker, life coach, sister, daughter, defender of the underdog, concert organizer, fundraiser, Trillium Grant winner, Snoezelen Room builder and designer, camper, dreamer, believer, supporter, indispensable, irreplaceable, friend, confidante, sister-in-law, daughter-in-law, Alzheimer advocate and support, photographer, traveller (reluctant at first), loves mountains, seer….

Words. They all mean more to me than to you in this context. Anne is and will always be my best friend. Words cannot express what I feel, but they can come close. My children are better persons because of her. I am a better person, husband and father because of her. She has an innate ability to bring out the best in people, and her perseverance is at times mind-boggling and breathtaking.

And so, to the lady who has endured me for 21 years, here’ to many more. Je t’aime, Minoune!