And the Lord went before them by day in a pillar of cloud to lead them along the way, and by night in a pillar of fire to give them light, that they might travel by day and by night – Exodus

This post qualifies as one of those “blast from the past” entries. And I’m there this morning because my memoir project is back up and running – so history is where my head is.

I spent most of this past weekend writing about the first few months of the amazing and epic year, 2013. This means that The Story is now on the cusp of moving to North Carolina.

Great Moments in History:

For today, however, January 2, 2013 has my attention. Long story short our son – Andrew, was living in Northern Italy and his fiancée – Alicia, was teaching in Kiev. The big wedding is scheduled for July in Michigan but they suddenly discover that her Italy visa takes six months to process… after they are married.

So we arrange an under-the-radar ceremony at our home January 2 so the paperwork has time to process before they move to Vicenza together after their official July nuptials in Michigan.

Immediate family only. Complete secrecy. No-one else knows till the big party in July. To date, this remains one of our favorite weddings ever!

Alicia (wearing a traditional Ukrainian dress – photo top of page) and Andrew are obviously ecstatic. The grandparents all look healthy and full with life. Naomi, Craig and David are shiny and bright! Alicia’s twin sister and her husband (Stephanie and Brian) appear relaxed and at peace. Both the bride’s and the groom’s parents all look thankful that their children have found each other!

The other photograph is from probably the best restaurant meal Rebekah and I have ever hosted. The Columbia in Ybor City prepares the finest hybrid American-Cuban-Spanish cuisine anywhere.

It is one of Andrew’s favorite eateries and the venue fit the bill perfectly for such an international wedding

I have been trying to locate the thread that connects all the stories, the through line, the subtext that anchors every page in my memoir, something the reader can look to as a guide like following white blazes on the Appalachian Trail.

Examining photographs such as these, taken in 2013, I have to say the thread is The Hand of Providence. This journey is in every way a Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah thing. I really am a pilgrim – only for me this is very much The Promised Land.

• Guide me, O Thou great Jehovah,
  Pilgrim through this [Promised] Land;
  I am weak, but Thou art mighty,
  Hold me with Thy pow’rful hand.
  Bread of heaven, Bread of heaven,
  Feed me till I want no more;
  Feed me till I want no more.

Here are a few images, both from January 2 and July 6 (2013). I think we can all agree Andrew and Alicia got well and truly married! – DEREK