Hallelujah

And the story goes on…. a continuation of Thanksgiving memories.

It is December 22, 1973. It is very cold here in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Last night family members starting arriving to prepare for the big event - Kay and Kennon are getting married today! Inez turned on both ovens and started baking and cooking, the upstairs and downstairs fireplaces were filled and lit, trying to keep the house warm. All the electric heaters that could be found were turned on. Yes, you guessed it, the power went out. Since it was already late, we all hit the hay. All was very quiet, as it is when there is no electricity. All we could hear was the stream running by the window and the waterwheel spraying water on the rocks below. At one point during the night, though, the waterwheel stopped and in the morning was a sight to see, rushing water frozen in time.

Bright and early this morning someone must have driven out to call the power company, as the serviceman showed up and just had to flip a breaker up on the pole next to the house, we must have overloaded it! We were much more careful the rest of the day. Everyone frantically started getting ready, the house, the food, themselves. The upstairs living room was decorated with poinsettias, there was lots of food (always whenever Inez is involved), and it was almost time. Kennon and his family arrived, along with the preacher. It was a solemn service, all of us focusing on what was happening here in this cabin in the woods. I am sure Inez and Felton had mixed emotions - sadness on losing their firstborn, but happiness to see her find that special someone to spend the rest of her life with. The ceremony was a quiet one, with no music, until . . . just as they were pronounced man and wife, the music was turned on, playing Hallelujah Chorus. "Hallelujah! Hallelujah!" Most everyone thought it was a very spiritual song for the Christmas season and this hallowed event. But Kay knew exactly what it was - a prank by her siblings. She heard the music coming from the back of the room and whipped her head around in time to see Buddy, Sue, and Alan snickering in the corner next to the stereo. Hallelujah! Kay finally got married! - was what they were wanting Kay to hear. Leave it to siblings to bring a little fun! This family has a great time together, whether it is playing jokes on each other or just being together.

Just last Saturday, we had Christmas music playing while working on some homemade presents and wrapping packages here at home, and the Hallelujah Chorus came on. I was thinking it at the same time Buddy said it - there is Kay's wedding song! We died laughing, remembering that great day.

Happy Anniversary today to Kay and Kennon, 32 years!