There is a calm settling inside the Sinclair household right now. Last night and this morning it was all hustle and bustle from our daughter Charissa’s wedding rehearsal, followed by a few of the people in her party spending the night at the house. This included our “German daughter” Sarina and friend Mony, who flew in from Germany last night.
Most of the women, including Cindy, have gone to get their hair done up for the big occasion. I won’t see them again until the wedding ceremony to be held at the Essex train station, where we will then board a train for the reception on a river boat. The theme of the wedding is steampunk, a kind of Victorian era meets gadgets sort of thing. I was supposed to be dressed up as an Egpytologist, but will only be managing the pith helmet and goggles.
The only ones left in the house are son Noah, college friend Chi (who will be the photographer) and Sarina and Mony catching up on some sleep still from their flights over. In early afternoon this remaining crew will leave for the 4:00 p.m. wedding and, among many other wonderful things, a grand family reunion on both sides of the aisle.
It’s fitting that the largest family reunion I can remember will happen at Charissa’s wedding. Family always has been so important for her. As the middle child she often served as the bridge holding her siblings together. She also came to hike the last four days with Cindy and me on our long journey.
My two fondest memories of Charissa was when she received the humanitarian award in sixth grade and when she came back from a work camp trip at age 13 declaring she would rather do that than go to Disneyworld. Yes, she is that type of caring person; a glue person that holds people together.
I’m to play guitar for various songs at her wedding. One of them, “You Raise Me Up,” I’m supposed to sing. We’ll see if I make it through without falling apart completely.
Charissa is marrying a fantastic person, Randy DeSouto, the type of guy who befriends a lonely 80 year old man because he has no one else in his life. I know I should be thinking in terms of how lucky I am that the family is expanding wonderfully, but for now I’ll let a little melancholy set in before the grand occasion later today.
I love you “Little Miss Chariss.” Be Happy!
