Previous Challenge Entry (Level 4 – Masters)
Topic: HONEST (05/31/18)
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TITLE: Out of Tune Wedding Belles | Previous Challenge Entry
By LINDA GERMAIN
06/07/18 -
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“Don’t worry, Gram. You’re coming home with me. I’ll take care of you until you’re back on your ski-shod feet.”
She giggled, “Thank you, Patty-Pie. You’ve always been my favorite.”
As a nurse in between jobs, it seemed prudent to volunteer and avoid a lot of pressure from unsympathetic, guilt-ridden relatives. Patricia won’t mind was the prevailing attitude in family medical crises.
Not that Grammy was ever any trouble. She is a sharp, smart, charming character. Let’s just say that some folks who share our DNA are not interested in her views on life, love, creation, and eternity.
Her deeply held beliefs seem to anger the pseudo intellects. For one thing, she is not shy about nailing questionable behaviors and holding them up to the glaring light of God’s standard. It makes the family anti-Grams squirm a little.
A few days into her recuperation, I returned from the grocery and heard the television in her room. I was a little surprised at the program in progress. It wasn’t her usual faith-based show. She was crying.
I rushed in, expecting the worst.
“Gram! Are you in pain?”
She shook her head and pointed at the screen. A young woman in a billowing white gown and veil was standing in front of five seated people who seemed to be judging her choice. Some looked plainly disgusted. Others were squealing with delight.
Gram explained that she had binge-watched the wedding dress show all morning and was so stunned by its content she felt compelled to make some kind of response.
“I accidentally clicked on that channel and then couldn’t seem to get it off.”
Tears began to roll down her lovely face again as I tried to find a clue to the crack in her historically strong armor.
“Is that why you’re so upset?”
“No. I’m glad I saw this. I had no idea the sacrament of marriage had deteriorated to such a level.”
I kicked off my shoes and got comfortable. Clearly, she needed to share this new revelation.
“These young women are so deluded it breaks my heart. From movies and cartoons to toy tiaras, there’s a whole generation who’ve been indoctrinated with the princess myth. These wanna-be Cinderellas feel entitled to dresses that cost more than my first car!”
I waited, knowing there was a whole lot more.
“The gist of what I have heard over and over today is about brides wanting to impress people who gather at the ceremony and reception. Each girl expects to have a dazzling ensemble that will have all eyes feasting on her. And why not? Some of the daring fashions seem downright sleazy.
She stopped to shake her head in disbelief.
“It’s as if they just want to play dress-up and the obscenely expensive gown that gives them a happy tingle is the main thing…the only thing! The poor groom seems to get lost in all the hoopla.
She grabbed my hand and announced her new idea.
“We’re going to write a book, Patty-Pie!”
“Uh...what?”
“It’s time for someone to be straightforward and candid with the youngsters who blindly embrace secular approaches to wedding traditions.”
The tears had stopped, and now she was excited to be on the trail of her new vision to bring must-needed insight into matrimonial ceremonies.
“The main thing I want to tell them is to stop the silly posing as temporary princesses. Someone needs to teach them the truth about the outrageous cotton candy events they call weddings. These over-the-top productions don’t seem to bear witness to the God-ordained reality called marriage.”
She dictated. I took notes.
“…and this thing about venues and officiants? The joining of two lives is a solemn step, a genuine covenant, a blessing. What’s wrong with churches, temples, clergy?”
Gram was on a roll.
“Oh, and let’s have a chapter on how the newlyweds will appreciate having that scandalous amount of money later when the car breaks down or the plumbing leaks.”
Not everyone appreciated the blunt message of Gram’s book: Dear Bride, Glass Slippers Break.
That hasn’t stopped her. She’s planning another one to be called, Dear Groom…
I think it’s about white horses or something.
_____
Proverbs 23:23 (NLT)
Get the truth and never sell it; also get wisdom, discipline, and good judgment.
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The only piece of advice I have to offer (and I only offer this because I think so highly of this piece) is that Gram's voice (in dialogue) seems too similar to that of your MC's narrative. I think her dialogue would play better if she spoke in the "plain", no frills, no punches pulled, vernacular of a stubborn member of an older generation.
That's just my opinion, of course, and it takes nothing away from the outstanding talent you display in this piece. Thanks for sharing it with us!