The red and silver heart balloons still sit on the table, almost deflated, from a week ago today. Beside that is the placard congratulating my daughter and soon-to-be son-in-law. A week has gone by and it feels like much longer. It’s been a rainy, miserable summer so far. The weather has won in the struggle many times to control our plans, luckily, though, not the night of my daughter’s engagement. The proposal was planned on a boat and it threatened rain all day; however, with a great stroke of luck for a young man who had no “Plan B”, the weather cooperated. It was definitely nice enough for a sunset cruise on his boat. As both families sat waiting, excitedly, in my backyard; back on the South Bay/Freeport Nautical Mile Inlet, he went below deck and brought out three roses- one representing the past, one the present and the third, the future- with a sparkling diamond engagement ring dangling from it on a string. Of course, there was the traditional down on one knee proposal, as well. And so it began. Champagne was popped after they returned to my house and my daughter cried tears of joy as they were greeted and congratulated by all. It was great to have my mom there, the only grandparent left. She had been asking for only about six months when this is going to happen. Bittersweet was the fact that the other grandpas and grandmas were not there and 1500 miles away in Florida, one of my daughter’s favorite aunts lay in a hospital bed about to die. My daughter was due to visit her in 6 days; she wanted more than anything to show her the ring. I knew about the surprise and sent a letter to my aunt, which was read to her by my sister-in-law a week before. It told about the secret surprise engagement. Strangely enough, Aunt Laura lasted all day and when her daughter, my cousin, told her Lindsay was engaged, she opened her eyes and said, “He must really love her.” Those were her last words. She died 9:00 the next morning. I was not done keeping secrets from my daughter; we all decided not to tell her until Monday- let her joy last the whole weekend before she finds out. Luckily, she was so busy and elated all weekend, she didn’t find out, even though, it was posted all over facebook.
Finally, on Monday, when I told her, the consolation was Aunt Laura’s last words. I told her that was Aunt Laura’s gift to her.
What is really odd was before the engagement; we decided to look at a hall for the wedding. As we drove up to the first place, we noticed a cemetery directly across the street. Needless to say, that hall was crossed off the list. Was this a gentle nudge, though, to tell us how precious life is and that we should always remember the people who aren’t here with us to celebrate? Rest in peace, Aunt Laura; you will forever be in our hearts along with the other grandpas and grandmas who aren't here with us.
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