Saturday, July 23, 2022

Rick Miller

Tears

Revelation 21:4 “He will wipe away every tear from their eyes. There will be no more death or mourning or crying or pain, for the old order of things has passed away ”

I was standing with my beloved BBG (“BaByGirl”) Liz outside of St. Andrews By The Sea Chapel waiting as the long procession of bridesmaids and groomsmen slowly made their way into the sanctuary. It was a bright, sunny, though slightly cool seaside June day. Liz started shaking like a leaf. I solicitously asked if she were nervous. “No, just chilly” was her emphatic reply. I offered my tuxedo jacket which she declined. I then put my arm around her and held her close. As we passed through the church entryway to my great surprise I was overcome by a tsunami of vast, inchoate emotion and it took every ounce of self-control to keep tears from streaming down both cheeks as we slowly walked down the aisle bathed in the well-wishing gaze of family and friends. As we ascended the chancel steps for me to present Liz to her bridegroom Dan and the officiant, Father Rob, I noticed Dan dabbing away tears from the corners of his eyes. An unforgettable 2022:1 Revelation: a loving father giving way to an equally loving bridegroom-a beautiful, moving moment of change in the old order. It is said that tears represent realization, acceptance, and embracement thus are one of the best means for living beings to express the ineffable. At age 76, God taught me a new lesson, one that is likely quite familiar to any father presenting a daughter in marriage: the father-daughter relationship is very special indeed, indeed!