Claire Gets Married, and I Get to See You, Your Mom and Dad, Coco, and Claire’s Family.

Dear Joanie,

    What a grand reunion we had in Birmingham, Alabama, celebrating the wedding of my sister Karol’s granddaughter Claire Leonard and Ryan Meeks, a joyous family occasion. I loved seeing you, your dad, your mom (who is expecting your baby brother in only a few months now), Coco, your grandmother, and the whole Gammill family.  We had parties and luncheons and the wedding itself . You and Coco and I walked on a blustery spring day in Birmingham to a restaurant where we wanted to have breakfast, but, alas, it didn't open till 11am, so we walked back to the Elyton Hotel and found the restaurant there. I believe you had waffles. Your mom and dad joined us. 

    I think Birmingham is a beautiful city. It is lush with greenery and the botanic gardens spread out over acres and acres are inviting. If I lived in Birmingham, I'd go there every day. Birmingham was also the center of the Civil Rights Movement in the 1960s. (Yes, this is GG Katie writing, and it is SO important to me that you know about our country's history, especially the time period when I was growing up and also when I was a young mother.  )I remember Birmingham and the Civil Rights movement really, really well.  And so does Birmingham. On a Friday afternoon while everyone was at rehearsal or shopping or resting, I took a walk around the city and was met with placard after placard commemorating individuals and events during that period. Please, Joanie, when you are older, make sure you know about Birmingham. I'm so uncertain what you will be taught in school. 

    As for the wedding. You were the flower girl, and you looked beautiful in your pink dress with a satin waistline and in  your white Mary Jane shoes, and your pretty brown hair pulled back with a silken bow. 

        

Joanie, the Flower Girl

To be frank, you were a reluctant flower girl from the beginning, but I thought you pulled it off beautifully. You wanted your dad to walk down the aisle with you as you spread rose petals from the little white basket you carried. That was a perfectly legitimate request, and he was happy to do it. You made quite the pair, you handsome and debonair father holding your hand as you walked together down the aisle while about 300 people turned their heads to watch you. 

    You were just fine until you saw your mother. And then you ran to her and jumped in her lap and your world was all secure. Everyone smiled and all was well. There will be a video of that moment somewhere.

    That brings me to another wedding, when your Great Grandpa Dougie and I got married, June 22, 1991 in St. Aidan's Episcopal Church, in Boulder, Colorado, where we live now. Coco and your mother were part of that wedding, along with your Great Aunt Julie. Your mother, our Brettable, was quite excited to be part of the wedding party, and all was well, even walking down the aisle together. I'm not really certain what happened because all was well as the whole family stood at the altar to hear the opening vows, but when we all sat down to hear the readings, I glanced over at your mother, age 5 years old, and her face was all crumpled up and tears were running down her cheeks. We spent some time comforting her. She recovered well and managed to have a good time, as you can see in this picture of her and Coco.

Brett O'brien, 5, with Catherine (Coco)

You will want to note her crumpled up dress in her hands, and her torn tights with her knee sticking out. A really cute picture that I love, but not quite so elegant as the one of you, you'll agree.

Love,

GG Katie