I’ve been asked, and have accepted, to officiate the handfasting of two good friends of mine, this coming November. They’re combining some traditional wedding elements in with the Celtic version of the ceremony and we had the first of many phone conferences about the gathering yesterday.

They have a lot to get through, but they have a very good attitude about the situation. They’re willing to mix and match and compromise so that things work out the way they want but also so they don’t weird out any relatives. Weddings can be a very stressful time, and it makes things a lot worse if you have relatives breathing down your neck about various things. Thankfully for them they don’t have quite as hard of a situation in that regard. Their families are leaving them to their own devices for the most part, but they’re also on a very tight budget, which I can understand as well.

I have friends who are going to be doing Chicago travel and other destination weddings, and they’re just doing theirs at a local park, we did the same sort of thing. You do what you can, the main thing is that you and your spouse are happy with the ceremony and that it illuminates your love for each other and the blessings that you have together. My main goal as the officiant is that they’re happy with the words that are being used to illustrate their kinship and their faith and it’s looking as though we’re going to be able to do that very well.

I’m excited.

On my main blog I’ve been doing a project called Three Thank You’s on Thursday. I thought it was fitting to receive this email because it’s along the same lines. It talks about being grateful for what you’ve got and the reasons why you should be so. Feel free to pass it along to others and remind us that we have a lot more going for us than we sometimes recognize, and share your thank you’s with me this week and others and see what you’ve got that’s good in your life to help you get passed the things which might be going wrong.

I AM THANKFUL:

For the wife who says it’s hot dogs tonight,
Because she is home with me and not out with someone else.

For the husband who is on the sofa being a couch potato,
Because is home with me and not out in bars.

For the teenager who is complaining about doing dishes,
Because it means she is at home, not on the streets.

For the taxes I pay because it means I am employed.

For the mess to clean after a party,
Because it means I have been surrounded by friends.

For the clothes that fit a little too snug,
Because it means I have enough to eat.

For my shadow that watches me work,
Because it means I am out in the sunshine.

For a lawn that needs mowing, windows that need cleaning, and gutters that need fixing,
Because it means I have a home.

For all the complaining I hear about the government,
Because it means we have freedom of speech.

For the parking spot I find at the far end of the parking lot,
Because it means I am capable of walking and I have been blessed with transportation.

For my huge heating bill,
Because it means I am warm.

For the lady behind me in church who sings off key,
Because it means I can hear.

For the pile of laundry and ironing,
Because it means I have clothes to wear.

For the weariness and aching muscles at the end of the day,
Because it means I have been capable of working hard.

For the alarm that goes off in the early morning hours,
Because it means I am alive.

What are you thankful for?