It takes love, not money

Chipping in to get ready for the big wedding

I just had a great weekend up north, in Mae Hong Son, a most beautiful part of Thailand, by the border with Myanmar.  I went there for the wedding of a good friend, a Karenni guy.  

On arriving there,  my friend, the groom, took me to his place to see the preparations happening for the wedding, the next day.  I was just amazed to see these young guys busily cutting up a pig for tomorrow's feast.  Then I looked across the yard to see a whole group of women cooking the dissected pigs in huge pans, over gas flames.    

The wedding, the next day, was just as amazing, or simply put, it was a breath of resh air for a Catholic priest so often imprisoned by "Wedding World", with all its over the top demands, costs and expectations.  All ever too much!  For a pleasant change, this was a "do it yourself" wedding.  I just loved it.  

There was a lot of fuss and preparation,  It was a grand celebration, but it was created by the couple, with their people, helping all the way.  Balloons decorated the church.  The bride and groom, elegantly but simply dressed, welcomed all the guests.  There was no long line of bridesmaids and groomsmen, doing nothing other than imbuing the event with fashion and beauty.  The church was a small, simple, village church, where the local community gathered.  Today, the people sung gustily and said all the prayers with firm conviction.  The church celebration was engulfed in a family atmosphere.  It set the scene for a relaxed, at home reception, enjoying home cooked pork.  Just wonderful!     

It was all about using the limited resources available to the people, to create a celebration of love.  It hit me - a strong, loving community makes a family.