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A White Post-Christmas

I just came back from my brother's renewal of vows. He lives in Wisconsin, and this particular week, they experienced colder-than-average temperatures. I could tell because my hands began to go numb as I attempted to tie down a trailer after last night's reception. As a result, I appreciated the fact that the temperature in Stockton was in the mid-sixties when I came back.

It was, however, good to take part in this, a dream of my brother and sister-in-law, after at least two years without seeing them. I saw the incredible support of their friends, who helped set up the day before, took part on the day of the event, and stayed late to help clean up. Aware of how tired everyone was late last night, one of Chris's friends even lent Chris his truck to take the last of the decorations home, a favor that allowed the family to return home before two o'clock in the morning last night.

Here are some of the highlights:

1. Hearing on a plane what sounded like a baby's first words: "Go Packers;"
2. Learning I was the best man on the way to my brother's house from the airport;
3. Finding I would not have to give a speech after learning I was the best man on the way to my brother's house from the airport;
4. Seeing a plastic gnome, apparently unclaimed by any owner and alone in the snow, its back turned on the world as we entered a major freeway;
5. Watching the snow cover a largely barren four-lane freeway through Milwaukee after two o'clock in the morning as we drove home;
6. Walking off-stage during the ceremony after I was prompted to get a microphone;
7. Walking back on-stage during the ceremony after failing to get a microphone, which someone else had already procured for the pastor;
8. Being hoisted up on top of a wall that doesn't quite reach the ceiling to get inside a locked room, only to remember that I'm afraid of heights;
9. Almost missing a flight home after the first of two flights was delayed, and-- walking briskly through the airport-- getting picked up by a porter and racing at breakneck speed (not really);
10. Watching the Rocky Mountains pass underway as I traveled back home.

On the last point, these mountains stretched for mile after interminable mile. At one point, their shape made them seem like a huge piece of uncrumpled paper, white and uneven. It was like God had written down some idea on God-sized paper, crumpled it up in disgust, thrown it down, then realized the idea was valuable after all as he stretched it back out on the landscape. It's odd to think I was over half-way across the country just hours ago.

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