Word Sketch: Our Wedding

Mike and Jeri after Wedding - September 3, 1985 at Tavern on the Green

September 3, 1985     Beautiful garden in Riverside Park     NYC

Sunny and clear    75 degrees

Jeraldine Avila    Beautiful   A genuine “California girl”   Always the saviest girl in the room    Kissed by Elvis Presley    Kissed by Tony Bennett

Mike Easterling   The luckiest guy the world.

Jim Ford (Chap)   Mike’s best friend   Conducted the wedding    Chaplain, House of Representative   Went off ski jumps backwards   Biker   Sailed the Atlantic in a 35 foot boat    Always the dominant person in the room

Scott Easterling    Mike’s son    Best man    Played guitar for the wedding   Great swimmer and skier   Unique personality   Always the most laid back guy in the room

Honey Kilker    Maid of Honor    One of Jeri’s best friends    Super cute    Super bright    IRISH     Always the smartest person in the room.

Bob Sterling    Mike’s good friend    Formerly choirmaster at Gordon College    Always the most handsome guy in the room

Yusef Kara (trans. ‘Joe Black’) ‘Great friend of Jeri’s    Great dancer    Always the nicest. sweetest person in the room

‘Big’ worked with Jeri at Black Starr and Frost    Not invited

Jeri’s boss  forget his name   Called himself a “distinguished executive.”   Not invited

Walkers    Doggie walkers   Joggers    Carriage pushers    Bench sitters   Homeless

Jeri walked down the steps from the Soldiers Memorial as Scott played “Stairway to Heaven” on his guitar. As she walked the sun lit on her and her white dress and made he glow. As she walked by a homeless man on a bench he looked up at her and said “Am I in heaven?” She walked to the garden and took her place by me.  We faced Jim who said the wedding words “Dearly beloved, we are gathered here in sight of God and in the presence of this company to join this women and this man in holy matrimony.” The ceremony continued.

As it did we all heard a siren. An emergency vehicle drove toward us and Jim stopped the service. We all had to move to allow the vehicle through.  As soon as it passed Jim continued with the exchange of vows and rings and pronouncement of “Husband and Wife.” Jeri and I kissed and as we did everyone clapped including the homeless folk nearby.