Wedding Watch why? ... Part two

Well, the wedding may be over but I find myself still fascinated and watching the coverage whenever it comes on TV. The gorgeous images are in sharp contrast to the devastation that is also being pictured, where people have lost everything.

My first reaction is 'how can I feel so happy about this event across the sea, when there is so much horrific news right in my own backyard?' But the more I contemplate it, the more I realize that recognizing BOTH events are important, critical even, to really living all of life. Acknowledging that good and bad, new life and destruction, happiness and sadness in all their extremes, always co-exist. Always have and always will.

This weekend, I've had the chance to celebrate a dear friend's 45th birthday, ushering in what will undoubtedly be another full year of life. At the very same time, she is dealing with her mother's diagnosis of a malignant tumor. Today, another group of friends gathered to shower one of our own who's embarking on first time motherhood at the age of 45. She's 'big' and uncomfortable and hot and all the things that go along with the 3rd trimester, but the joy of new life she's nurturing inside will, as we all know, be well worth the pain and suffering right now.

It's Both/And. Never either/or. Life is happening every minute of every day, in its full array of pleasure and pain. We can't limit ourselves only to the happy and enjoyable, even if we sometimes wish we could. But, to borrow from our good friend O, there's one thing I do know for sure: Multi-tasking women are never too busy to celebrate AND to care.


If you can help, please make a donation today to the Red Cross, Salvation Army or charity of your choice. Even William and Kate have passed on receiving gifts and asked anyone who wishes to make a donation to one of the charities they feel are important.