On Regrets & Turbo Snakes

With the sending of the invites came our first gifts, and our first regrets.  Friday we received a card from old family friends of my parents, sending their love, regrets and...a reminder of the fragility of life.  I have not seen them in years, and remember them as an active, outspoken, resourceful couple from Pennsylvania.  Now, they are still outspoken and resourceful, but a trip from the Florida town that they retired to is simply too much activity.  Soon after came a card from Kevin's grandmother, who reminded me that her grandson is quite a catch, and also let us know she and his grandfather would not be able to make the trip up.  I expect a similar message from my grandparents in PA in the near future.

If only we had a private jet, or a time machine...These are people not only who love us and would throw lots of postitive energy our way, they are also inspirational.  All count their anniversaries in decades rather than years.  They have weathered sickness and health, the ups and downs of trying to get two people to fit into one relationship.  In this day when so many walk away rather than fight, it would be nice to look out and see these couples hand in hand silenty reminding us that lasting love is not just for fairy tales.  Maybe my IT-fiance can configure a web cam or some other way to let them "be there" from afar. 

And now to totally change the tone-- we got our first wedding gift today; Liz wanted to be the first.  Backing up a bit; we went to Target just before closing time on a Sunday because we were told we *must* register at least one brick & mortar store.  We were sleepy and hungry, and just started pointing that registry laser gun at all sorts of random things.  The height of randomness being when I aimed it at...a Turbo Snake for the drain.  When Kevin questioned my sanity, I defended its practicality, especially at the rate my curls clog up the drain.  That is how our first gift as an about-to-be-married couple came to be a snake for our drains.  Turns out, it now seems way more humorous than practical.  But I'm sure it will prove its value in the very near future!