Personal news: My honor attendant’s mother passed away today. It was sudden, unexpected, and therefore a complete shock to everyone. I feel a bit disrespectful plastering the news here on my weblog, but this is the best place for me to express, in public, my dismay and sadness. And writing has always been a part of my healing process.

Needless to say, my honor attendant and I were best friends for the longest of times. We don’t see each other much now and our paths have drifted apart, but our friendship was so tight and close that we were each a part of the other’s family. So her mother’s death has ripped me into two sides. First side: if this had been any other week, and I mean any other week, I would be on the plane home to be there with her. But I’m getting married on Sunday and, even if I wanted to, there’s no way she and her mom would allow me to derail our wedding. Second side: I am hating that my best friend from childhood is not going to be able to share our wedding day. But, again, there are just too many people and logistics involved to do anything about that.

Ultimately, the beautiful gift her mother has left us is the importance of perspective. What life means and what love means. The wedding itself means little. It is the marriage, family, and community that truly matters.