“May today be the worst day of your marriage.”
He was in his 70s I would guess, but looked the part of aged. Probably had been old his whole life. Bent over. Stooped a bit. Thin, combed-over gray hair. He wore jeans to the wedding. Pressed wranglers and a pearl-snap Sunday shirt.
But when he stood to give the toast, he did so with no effort, albeit a tiny tremor when he raised the glass to address the bride and groom.
“May today be the worst day of your marriage.”
The crowd gasped a little because at first thought, the toast seemed insulting. Why would anyone wish a wedding day to be the worst?
Then the words settled like a warm blanket over our shoulders. Comforting. Hopeful. The day had been perfect. Sunshine. Mild temperatures. The bridal party had stepped out of a proverbial magazine and the preacher was on time. Family and friends encircled the bride and groom who looked impossibly in love.
The wise old man hoped this was the worst they would ever experience, and we joined him in the toast.
Of course, it wouldn’t be. Those of us with marital experience would chuckle at the thought. Impossible to think of any day better than a wedding day. I reflect now on his words because when you part the letters, you see the meaning.
Perspective.
As this couple, and others before and more to come, step into the happily ever after, each will choose daily how to receive whatever is waiting. We can’t control the events, but we can decide the reaction. We can remember the perfect wedding day and make it the worst day of our relationship.
Each day. Choose better than the previous day. And wake tomorrow to do the same.
