It's just barely dawn now at a quarter to 5.
A month ago that would've been a full-blown morning.
Dawn's blush used to start around a quarter to 4.
And I used to run a mile in 5 minutes. Two in 11.
Yeah.
Season's change.
I grab a cup of the Elixir of Knowledge from the still-growling contraption before going outside. On the way through the Living/Dining/Computer/Family Room, I grab the iPhone.
I plop down into one of the two patched-up RubberMaid lawn chairs by the front of the House,
gracefully slopping steaming Elixir on parts of my body that are now really, really awake.
Ahhhhh, maaaaan.
Caffeine is truly stimulating in the morning.
As are 3rd degree burns.
I carefully put the cup down on the wobbly little table between the two chairs and begin to settle into the quiet cool.
The mid-30 degree air is glowing with the coming morning, now just bright enough to shut off the streetlight.
The Elixir and my breath steam in the faint light.
As do my not-anywhere-near-dry-and-uncomfortably-warm pants.
We all - the Elixir, me, and the pants - begin to cool. And relax.
I pickup the phone to text the DAGU (Daughter All Grown Up).
She called four days ago, letting me know that she's planning the wedding and hinted at what she wants to do.
She mentioned a place for the wedding and a place for the reception.
"Check out their websites and see what you think, Dad."
It was a soft sell.
And she knew she didn't have to push it much.
It's our kid.
Our baby.
Nothing it too good for her.
And then I checked the websites.
Oh.
I remember two thoughts flashing through my mind.
"For that much $$$, do we get to keep the place settings and the leftovers?"
And...
"Does McDonald's cater?"
Sitting back to stare at the sunrise, I take a pull of the Elixir, thinking about the wedding requests.
And knowing we'll find a way to do them.
Because she's our daughter.
The sky glows gold as I take another pull of Elixir.
Another wedding plan pops into my head.
Yeah.
Oh, yeah!
Imagine the place settings at that banquet!
You know, the one He'll have for His Bride, His children!
Ohhhh, mama.
Gold place settings.
The most incredible food.
And I hear the band is heavenly.
Money, literally, is no object.
The price of the wedding was already paid in full.
Over 2,000 years ago.
Because nothing was too good for His kids. Not even His own life.
Wow.
Yeah . . .
I don't think MickeyD's'll
be catering that one.