So fellow travelers, surrounded by family and friends, two of my dearest friends were married yesterday.

Favorite youngest daughter flew in from Portland to be here for this long anticipated event and her help with the venue decorating and floral arrangements was a tremendous blessing.

The ceremony took place in a peaceful little grove of birch trees, leaves dancing gracefully in the wind. Grandkids and nieces greeted guests, filled and handed out paper cones with birdseed, read poems, carried rings, scattered flowers, rang bells and made a rainbow with celebration flags.

In a day filled with sweet, funny, joyous moments, my favorite is this one

Ashley drove 3,000 miles, across the country in a van with her four children, aged 2 to 11 to be here for this special day. She is brave, determined and yes, more than a little crazy and she is my hero for undertaking a trip most people would find far too daunting to even consider, for perservering through check engine lights and bad motels and for maintaining a miraculously positive perspective through each long day.

These words are for her and for her Mom, my dear friend Lisa. who raised this fierce warrior Mom

Warrior mothers

iron wills

open arms

fierce intention

tender hearts

raising bright comets who race across the skies of time

and shine like beacon stars to guide us forward.

Walk gently on the path my friends and may adventure find you ready.