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“To truly know the world, look deeply within your own being; to truly know yourself, take real interest in the world.” ~ Rudolf Steiner

 

April skipped up weather-beaten porch steps, her bare feet walking through fire and rain, skirts tattered by wind, yet there she was, arrayed in apple green and shy smiles, as April does. She lifts our hearts, this tender spring, her smile spreading across early dawn as birds lift songs all around her.  She’s hope, light, showers, new beginnings despite it all. 

With that comes news of a wedding, sort of a quiet one on the down-low, where the bride and groom dress in wedding finest for each other: she in a flowery concoction of a dress, he in a handsome vest and fine white tailored shirt. A millennial couple, not in the throes of teenage silliness, way past the starry-eyed stages. A couple with depth, kindness, a shared love of family and delicious food, of life and poetry, of tenderness and nature. Of rocky ledges, of high sprawling sky, of backyard gatherings, of each other. 

At this point, I think (to myself) that they’ve got a good chance of making it, of knowing what matters. No gilded, overblown bridezilla spectacle for them, just standing with one another on a spring day, surrounded by the mountains somewhere, sharing love and belief. That’s the way to do it, I think (to myself), nodding approval when I peek at photos shared by the groom’s mom. My old, cynical heart melts and thinks this is the way it’s supposed to be. Just love, kindness, and wisdom. 

In time, I’m going to ask that newlywed pair over to my place. Have them walk around, hold hands, look around, and then tell me what sings most to them both. Art? A piece of furniture? Stained glass? Plants? Something, anything? I’ve asked myself what to give: and the answer fell in my lap. Not a blender. Not china or place settings. Something with a story, something personal, something that will last a lifetime. A memory. Just seems the perfect fit, I think, of what to give my Abe and Lilly. Not spilling any beans, but this old world needs happiness and joy, and it’s right there under our noses in those we love the most, just like the sweet green grass of April. 

• Volunteers needed! Shifts are being assigned now for the Saluda Arts Festival on May 17. Shifts are assigned, and volunteer orientation occurs before the event; tasks include section leaders and assistants, SAF information tent, parking supervisors at three lots, golf cart drivers, and clean up. If interested, visit saluda.com or contact Linda Bailey at boblindabailey@hotmail.com.
• Saluda Community Land Trust’s next Walks in the Woods is April 20 to Henry’s Nature Center, a  2-mile walk that traverses an old home site and the new Pavillon. On May 4, the walk will be at Adawehi Stewardship Forest in Columbus. Meet at the Saluda Library parking lot at 2 p.m. For information, contact the SCLT office at (828) 749-1560 or email info@saludaclt.org. SCLT’s 18th annual meeting at Saluda Center on May 7, 5:30 p.m. 

Happy April Birthday to Melody Gibson, Dave Prudhomme, Kaye Vazquez, Cindy Keeter, Hope Pace, Diane Pace, Greaton Sellers, Clay Arrington, Bonnie Bardos, Luther Connor, Gary Pace, Doug Honeycutt, Taylor Thompson, Loretta Cook, Elizabeth Taylor, Laura Morgan, Roberta Cart, Joan Beddingfield, Anne Lee, Mabel Pace, Mary Jo Wannamaker, and Joan Mondrick. 

Feel free to contact me at bbardos@gmail.com, (828) 817-6765, P.O. Box 331, Saluda, NC 28773, Facebook, or visit bonniebardos.com