“Don’t say that, Mama! You’ve gotta really believe, or your wishes won’t come true.”
Hearing the seriousness in her daughter’s voice, Darla Sue smiled and said, “Okay then, I believe. I truly believe.”
Annie gave a nod of satisfaction. “Good. Because I’m not done wishing.”
——————
DARLA SUE PARKER CHANGED HER name one more time. It happened in June, a week after school closed for the summer and people had begun to spend their evenings sitting on the front porch or strolling into town for a soda or ice cream. That Sunday it was as if God were smiling down on them with the azaleas in full bloom and the sky an endless stretch of blue. The tiny church was filled to overflowing, and when she stepped out of the car a collective sigh rippled through the crowd. The gown, a silk taffeta with seed pearls scattered across the skirt, bared her shoulders, hugged her waist, then fell softly and danced about her ankles.
When Darla Sue started along the walkway, a springtime breeze ruffled the edge of her veil. Ginger, her matron of honor, leaned over and smoothed it. The gown had been a gift from Colette, one she claimed would be the perfect introduction to her new wedding collection.
As they neared the entrance, Darla Sue heard the organ sound the first chords of the procession music. Ginger stepped out to lead the way, and Annie followed behind scattering rose pedals from the basket she carried. She was wearing the gold locket Gregg had given her that morning. He’d knelt in front of her and asked if she would accept him as her daddy for now and evermore. As he’d hooked the clasp around her neck, she’d grinned and whispered in his ear that having him for a daddy was exactly what she’d been wishing for.
The strains of Wagner’s Bridal Walk sounded, and Darla Sue moved to the entranceway. For a fleeting moment she hesitated, wishing her father were here to accompany her down the aisle, but he’d never answered any of her letters. She then thought of William, the grandfather she’d never known but had taken to heart. It was his presence she felt beside her as she stepped into the church and began her walk down the aisle.
With every seat filled and the congregation standing to watch her entrance, she could not see Gregg until she neared the altar. When she finally caught sight of him, he was standing side by side with Phil. A feeling such as she’d never before known swelled in her heart, and for a moment it stopped beating. She knew if she lived a thousand years or ten thousand years, she would never forget the look of love in his eyes.
As Gregg lifted the veil from her face, he whispered that she was so lovely she took his breath away. He took her hand in his, and they stood together as the pastor spoke of the responsibilities and joys of marriage. After he’d led them through the vows and exchange of rings, he spoke in a voice that could be heard by all.
“Today we are here to not only unite Darla Sue and Gregg in holy matrimony but to create a loving and enduring family.” He turned to Annie and asked her to come forward, then handed each of them a small beaker of sand: Darla Sue’s a snowy white, Gregg’s a pearl gray, and Annie’s pink.
“Each of you are individuals,” he said, “as unique as the grains of sand you hold in your hand. Separately you are each a beautiful color, but blended together you will create a color even more beautiful. To preserve the beauty of this thought and create a lasting memory, we will now join the grains of sand. First, each of you will pour your unique layer of sand into this jar.”
Gregg moved to the table and poured a layer of gray sand into the bottom of the jar; he was followed by Darla Sue, and when it came to Annie’s turn he bent down and asked if she needed help. She shook her head and poured a thick layer of pink sand atop the other two.
“This represents the individuality that you each have,” the pastor said. He then asked all three of them to pour their remaining sand in at the same time.
Annie looked up with a worried expression. “But it’s gonna get mixed together.”
The pastor smiled as a ripple of laughter came from congregation. “You’re right, Annie, it will get mixed together. The sand will be blended just as your lives will be blended.”
Annie eyed her mama and in a rather loud whisper, asked, “Mama, is this okay to do?”
Darla Sue nodded. “It’s a good thing; a very good thing.” She nudged Annie forward and then at precisely the same time, all three of them poured their remaining sand into the jar. Annie’s eyes lit up.
“Look, Mama,” she squealed. “It’s beautiful!”
“It certainly is,” Darla Sue replied as she looked at the soft rose-tinted beige their blended sands had created.
The pastor continued. “Love is a force more formidable than any other. It cannot be seen or measured, yet it is powerful enough to change your life and offer you more joy than any material possession you could ever own. You came here as three individuals, but love has made you one. You are now, and will forevermore be, a family, as beautiful and inseparable as these grains of sand. May God bless this union for now and forever.”
A joyous “Amen” rose from the congregation.
Gregg bent and kissed Annie’s cheek. Then he took Darla Sue in his arms and kissed her as never before. In that kiss she felt the forgiveness of the past and the promise of the future. As they turned and started down the aisle together, Annie was in front of them, dancing happily and scattering the remainder of her rose petals.
Somewhere deep inside Darla Sue’s heart, a tiny piece of Suzanna remained, and
