Laughter Is Good Medicine: November 2014

Before you start this, go get a diet coke and some chocolate, this is a long un.

I wonder what things will be remembered by Cassidy and Dorian about their wedding day in about 30 years. I know what Dorian would say, "I remember everything, it was so perfect". Good answer, you are a quick learner son in law.

What do you remember as a stand out during your wedding events? One of mine would be our rehearsal dinner. Here's what I remember about it: my pink dress..........

See, isn't the pink dress cute?

The Green Beanery where we had it...... the delicious chocolate to die for cheesecake,and the hilarious poem Janet and Carol made up and performed for the crowd.

Robin's new sisters

I dug the poem out of my wedding box to share with you.

It may be one of those "you had to be there" stories to be funny but I still get a chuckle out of it after all these years. Let's try it and see if you either remember back and laugh or laugh anew.
Here goes:

That guy would be cute 'cept for nerdy sunglasses, thinks she as she sees the smile that he flashes.
He thought that of her, until he did see, the clothes that she wore were too funky to be.
That dirty old towel that she wears with pride, we hope she'll discard before she's a bride.
This moccasin we retrieved from a china-berry tree,from whence long ago from her foot it did flee.
And speaking of fleas......
Did you know Robin Chesser was a member of the Humane Society?

As they drove down the road some pups they did spy, on the side of the road, orphans destined to die.
They screeched to a halt and rescued them all, only one was worth saving and soon he too would fall.
Cathy traveled the highways from vet to vet, to search out a cure to save her new pet.
This greasy, flea ridden disease of a pup, was a gift from her love, she must not give up.
He lived out his short life in an igloo ice chest, and to her dismay, she must lay him to rest.
And the dough that you won in Stonewall last year, symbolizes a story that we'd love ya'll to hear.
Be nice to your new sisters, dear Robin, old pal, or we'll tell some more secrets, right here and right now.

Here's the key to understanding that poem, I'm ashamed to say that I did say to Janet the first time I saw Robin that he was really cute but had nerdy sunglasses, sorry hubby. As to the dirty old towel, that was my favorite wrap to put on after a shower. It was sunny yellow with my initials and flowers monogrammed on it. Ok, so what if it was years old and raggedy, it was sooo special to me. There could have been a compromise reached about when I wore it, why did you have to turn it into an old rag, I'm still traumatized. And the moccasin, Robin disliked it so that he threw one up in a tree never to be found again, RUDE, Carol gave me those. The puppy, self explanatory, may it rest in peace. And the money, we still don't really talk about the dough he won and lost at the Stonewall Peach Jamboree. He didn't mean to get sucked into a game by a con artist at the fair and loose his first pay check. It took a long time to even talk about that, much less laugh about it, lesson learned, never gamble again.

But back to the present, I was so excited about Cassidy and Dorian's rehearsal dinner. Becky, Dorian's, sweet momma had picked the perfect place, Dorian's favorite barbeque eatery, Coopers.

Dorian, who wears a white shirt to eat barbeque?

It was a great night and such a fun start for a fabulous wedding. Surrounded with family and friends, we all had a big cry over the slide show that Becky had put together. What a gift to everyone there. Then Becky invited anyone who would like to speak or attempt to speak through massive amounts of tears to please feel free. I can't decide if the slide show was my favorite or what people said to the almost newly weds but it was totally, amazingly wonderful.

The Chesser siblings were the first to grab the microphone.

The boys dressed for the occasion

Here's what they had to say:

Dorian, we wanted to give you a few helpful hints on how to understand our sister.
* You can tell a lot about her mood just by her hands...For instance, if they are holding a gun , she's probably angry.
* She has been shopping all her life and still has nothing to wear.
* If you are a wise man, you won't tell her to stop talking, you will say to her that her mouth is extremely beautiful when her lips are closed.
* If you pretend to be trying something for long enough and not succeeding, like ironing your shirt, she will get frustrated and do it for you.
* The most dangerous place you can be is in the midst of her storm.
* If at first you don't succeed, try doing it the way Cassidy told you to.
* Both of them can't look good at the same time, it's either Cassidy or the house.
* A quiet man is a thinking man, a quiet woman is usually mad.
* When she says, "do whatever you want", DO NOT DO WHATEVER YOU WANT!
* Shakespeare said "Laughing at your own mistakes can lengthen your life" but his wife said, "laughing at your wife's mistakes can shorten your life".
* Here's 2 secrets to keep your marriage running smoothly: 1: Whenever you're wrong, admit it. #2. Whenever you're right, shut up.

Then Alyrose read 1 Corinthians 13:4-8. Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails.

So many others added wisdom, advice, laughs and tears to the evening. Kristin, Dorians cousin, wanted to know who this older chick was who was after her baby boy cousin only to discover how much she loved Cassidy when she met her.

Cass got the thumbs up from cuz Kristin

Cassidy's grandfather, better known as Dad Dad sang them a sweet song. It went a little like this, "Do you take this woman to be your new wife? Would you vow to love her the rest of her life? Would you die to protect her and honor her name? You'd better whisper" I do "or I'll kill you again.


I don't think the song had ended yet, Dorian is still smiling.

Are you wondering if this blog will ever end? I'm almost finished, it was just so fun. I knew that Robin would have to say something, or cry something, for the wedding so I thought I would step up and help him out during the rehearsal dinner so I wrote a little something for Cassidy and Dorian.

success, no ugly cry!!!!!

Here is it:

Ok, lets imagine a minute Heaven's library, surely there's a library in heaven. We know God has several books, it tells us that in the Bible. Maybe this is where He keeps his book of life, both Cassidy and Dorian's names are written in this book. After we throw out everything else like our good deeds, our works, our religion and everything else that we've added on to that list and simply put our trust in Jesus and what He did for us on the cross, trusting him for eternal life, our names are written in this precious book of life. I know that as truth.

But I also wonder if there are volumes of books on each one of us and our lives. Imagine the beauty of those shelves. Stacks and stacks, volume upon volume lining the walls with huge rolling ladders reaching to the tops. I'm thinking God might say, "Ok, library angel, could you find Cassidy Chesser's book? The library angel finds that beautiful book and brings it to the Lord. It's probably pink and sparkly with a princess crown on it and radiant light pouring from inside.

The father and son sit down to glance through it and reminisce.

Ah yes, Cassidy, that beautiful blue eyed blond who was born to Cathy and Robin and big sis Alyrose. 15 months later she would become the big sister to Seth then followed by Caleb and Will. Sweet little baby, slept round the clock. Oh there was a small glitch at her birth, says here she broke her moms tail bone, ew, she'll need to make up for that. ( The Lord turns the page.)

Had 2 tries at kindergarten. First time around she didn't utter a word, so painfully shy. Second time did the trick, she emerged as a class leader and never stopped after that.

Came to know me as her personal savior at the age of 7, first grade. What a glorious day that was in heaven, lots of rejoicing going on in the heavenlies on that day. The most important day of her life.

Cassidy and her blondness provide lots of laughter in the Chesser household. Made the announcement one night after dinner that sometimes she forgets to breathe, and has to remind herself to do that.

Football season and as Cassidy cheers, she lights up the whole stadium with that radiant smile I gave her. She loved cheering and then coaching younger girls to do the same. She was a great role model.

Cassidy was loving on her family one night and reminded them of my words "But he said to me, "My grace is sufficient for you for my power is made perfect in weakness. Therefore, I will boast all the more gladly about my weakness so that Christ's power may rest on me. That is why for Christ's sake, I delight in weaknesses, in insults, in hardships, in persecutions, in difficulties. For when I am weak, then I am strong." 2 Cor. 12:9-10

Cassidy is a daughter, a sister, an aunt, a cousin, a niece, a granddaughter and a friend, soon to be a daughter in law, a sister in law and a wife. But more that that, she is the daughter of THE KING.

The apple of my eye. I love her with an everlasting love. I am for her, dancing over her, thinking precious thoughts towards her. I hold her in the palm of my hand and she can never, ever be snatched out of it. She is truly my princess, crowned with my loving kindness and tender mercies.

So then its fun to imagine the Father and Son placing Cassidy's pink and shiny book beside them and asking the librarian angel to bring them Dorian Sandoval's book. I bet this book is probably covered with camo and leather and not a hint of pink.

The library angel finds his book and brings it back and the Father and Son begin to flip through these pages, proud of Dorain and the man he has become.

Ah, yes, Dorian, that handsome young man that has the brown eyes that sparkle at the mention of a certain older woman. He was born to a sweet young mom and dad, Becky and Anthony. He would have to wait awhile before Tristin would become a brother to him and 17 years before he got to experience the joy of being a big brother to Marcos. But it was all worth the wait.    And the Lord continued to flip through the pages.

Dorian's little mouth worked long before his legs did, he was talking before he was walking.

What a party went on the day Dorian took me up on my offer to be his personal Lord and Savior, there was much praise going on in heaven that day. He was a chubby little eight year old, his words not mine.

Proud of this young man, doesn't go along with the crowd.

Says he'll never marry a cheerleader or a sorority girl, never say never, son. "For I know the plans I have for you Dorian, plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you a hope and a future. And it may include a cheerleader and a sorority girl

In Nehemiah I say, "Don't be afraid of the enemy, remember the Lord, who is great and glorious and fight for your friends, your families and your homes." Dorian lives by this, family is so important to him.

At last, he spots Cassidy at the gym. Did he really look at her and say, "you're mine"?

Dorian steps into Nordstroms for the first time in his life, usually he hangs out in Bass Pro Shop but today he is seeking help. He tells the Nordstrom girl " I'm in love with a princess, tell me everything I need to know".

He just called Marmes Marme and didn't get in trouble. No one has ever been allowed to call her that accept Cassidy. The family is taking notice.

He has passed the marme, dad and sister test, the brothers are a little tougher, wait till hunting season and they'll crack.

Dorian's favorite verse, "When he tests me, I'll come forth as gold." Job 23:10

Dorian is a son, a grandson, a brother, a nephew, a cousin and a friend, about to be a son in law, a brother in law, and a husband but more than that he is a son of THE KING. I carry you close to my heart. I love you even as I love my son Jesus. It is my desire to lavish my love on you. No one can ever snatch you out of my hand.

Then the Father and Son close that book and hand both single volumes back to the library angel where they are taken to a different place in the library. A brand new book is brought out and handed to the Father. This book is a combination of sparkling pink, camo and leather but wrapped with the blood of Christ. The Lord opens this new book, its pages blank, waiting to be filled with the new story of Cassidy and Dorian. It will be a love story with the Lord in the middle, a strong cord that can't be easily broken.
It will be tested but it will come forth as gold. It will start with crisp new pages and will age beautifully over time and experiences, deeper and richer and still full of love. Cassidy and Dorian, continue to walk with the Lord, talk with the Lord, share the Lord, always, always growing in Him....stand strong and protect your marriage above all else.

Ok, now i'm really almost finished. This last part was my favorite. My handsome new son got up along with my beautiful daughter and thanked everyone for coming.

Real Men Cry

He looked at each person in that room, family and friends, and said something special to each one there, no paper, no notes, he spoke from his heart. He looked at his dear grandfather and thanked him for having such a role in his life and pointing him towards the kind of man he should be.

Grandpa and Nana

He looked at Robin and thanked him for being a father figure and being such an influence to him almost as important as his grandfather. I heard some crying coming from my side of the table. He said that when their first son, Leonidas, is born, ( yes you heard that right)( oh wait that isn't happening any time soon but that is his name) he will tell him of his bachelor party and how it was on the dance floor that he and his grandfather and uncles built for their wedding. I knew what a man Dorian was but he grew again in my heart that night. With tears flowing down his face, Aunt Carol yelled from the back of the room, "real men cry". I am so in love with my new son in love. Dorian blessed his mom and family that night, not only with words but with the picture of the man they raised. To God be the glory.