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Many people believe that traveling is only for holidays or special occasions, such as a honeymoon. Some people never leave the country where they were born until they are forced to attend a funeral or relocate for a job. Others are unable to or choose not to travel until they are into adulthood. My view on (international) traveling, however, is that it is a way to make connections and stay connected. This is true for developing friendships, and especially true for family connections. Imagine having Christmas dinner via Skype? Or celebrating your great-grandmother's 93rd birthday on the other side of the world by way of facebook status updates. Sure, technology is great, but wouldn't you rather be there?
Columbia University, and many other universities and specialty programs, advocate planting the travel seed in your child's life very early. They offer programs where high school students can travel to different parts of the world to learn about how other people live - and in turn, appreciate their own personal family history, how they live now, and their future role as global citizens.
This year, Deja was lucky enough to be chosen to participate in The Barcelona Experience High School program offered by Columbia. This is a program in which students examine the history, art, and urban development of Barcelona, Spain, enriching their understanding of how European communities develop local, regional, national, and international identities.
Deja chronicles her day-to-day experiences in a blog - including beautiful pictures. The title of the blog is all about deja. Please click here to read about and share in her travels. Or you can find her blog at http://allaboutdeja.wordpress.com .
Cheers,
Marsha
Congratulations!
The bride, our beautiful, and resplendent, daughter, Odette; her handsome, gallant groom, our very welcome son-in-law, Doug.
Each of you is gorgeous. Together you are a glamorous, a fabulous couple.
We wish you a happy marriage, maintained by love and tenderness and trust, and by the memory of this wonderful and charming day which you have called us to celebrate with you.
II
Our daughter is a miracle child. Maybe she is getting used to miracles. For example, she missed her return flight from a business trip. She got home by a later flight, went to bed later, planning to get to work later the following morning. It’s nearly 10 years now and she hasn’t set foot yet in her Merrill Lynch office. The date she would have checked in late was 9/11/2001. Her office was in The World Financial Center, just across from The World Trade Center, Lower Manhattan, New York.
Next, Odette, you and Doug harmonizing your lives together is another miracle. Look at the roiling millions of singles in Canada and the USA that each of you sifted through to come up arms full with each other, your ideal partner, your soul mate.
III
Your shared miracle also creates another. Linking your lives, you have combined our two families—Henry/Belton.
Welcome, Dr. Ruby Belton; welcome Mr. Douglas Belton, Sr.; welcome Shayla Belton, a charming flower in the sparkling bouquet of bridesmaids. (Other bridesmaids, you are charming, too). Beltons, you are the proud mother and father and sister of the groom.
This welcome is bestowed to you from the sincere hearts of Dr. Carol Henry & me, Reginald Henry, the happy and anticipating mother and father of the bride.
IV
And there are many other family members, friends and associates who will not speak publicly. We extend their welcome to the Beltons, as well as their congratulations to the bride and to the groom.
At this good point we also thank every one whose efforts from the beginning, through these last two days, make everything so pretty, so successful, and so encouraging.
V
Odette & Doug, may your shared lives continue to be filled with miracles. Even ones that are not splashy, sparkling, or spectacular!
One of your greatest blessings will be to continue feeling secure in each other’s love.
VI
We love you, Odette Henry Belton. Your energy, charm, grace, and focus, have brought joy and great satisfaction to our lives; and, we are sure, will also delight your spouse and his family. We love you Douglas Belton,Jr. Your politeness, gallantry, stability, and all round determination, show us that Odette is wise to see you as her continuing hero and to hold on to you.
And, Odette, we must correct what looks like fiction about giving you away. We are not giving you away! Doug earned your hand in marriage by providing a huge dowry—a huge bride price. He will need one-and-a-half lifetimes to pay up. For, each payment he makes, he has to ask back for a little just to keep going!
The huge dowry payments are Doug’s C-H-I-V-A-L-R-Y and his L-O-V-E. At least, that’s what we understand from his 9 words: “I WILL TAKE GOOD CARE OF YOUR DAUGHTER, SIR. “ We will definitely take these words to the bank for Doug’s words are reliable. Again, that’s what we understand from his 8 words, “MY PARENTS BROUGHT ME UP THE RIGHT WAY.”
VII
We repeat our wish that you, both, have a long and happy marriage. The fact is, we’ve signed you up for 75 years of happy marriage. If you wish an extension, please see the family recorder at the beginning of the 75th year to start the extension process. I am the family recorder.
VIII
Now, ladies and gentlemen, to extend our goodwill and to honor the soon to be very new and very eager Dr. and Mrs. Douglas Belton, we will raise our glasses--
Odette and Doug, to your good health; Odette and Doug, to your happiness; Odette and Doug, to your longevity.
Again, congratulations; and thanks for calling us together to share with you this splendid day, this planting day, this day of promise, this unrepeatable day. God bless you, Odette & Doug.
By Reginald (Marcel) Henry, USA
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