Todays Helping of Chicken Soup for the Soul

[Guest guest]

Showered with Love

By Solomon

" , you are my rock, my one true friend who never judges me, is

always

there and loves me unconditionally. "

These were the words I wrote for my best friend at her wedding shower.

It

was my gift. In fact, it was everybody's gift - written pieces of memories,

stories, insights and prayers for 's future.

When asked me to be matron of honor, I was thrilled and couldn't

wait

to host her shower. I had my own opinions of traditional wedding showers

and

had decided on a nontraditional one for myself. Although I stressed to her

that

her shower could be any way she wanted, I was happy when she told me she

liked

what I had done for mine and wanted hers the same.

Relief and elation danced harmoniously inside me; I couldn't wait to

give

a wedding shower with meaning.

A few years ago, several months before my wedding, three dear family

friends wanted to throw me a shower. I was both touched and panicked.

Touched

because these women had known me since infancy and panicked because I was at

the

beginning of what is now my full entry into the simple living movement - I

didn't want more stuff.

I thought long and hard about my quandary and went to the women with

the

idea of an alternative wedding shower.

Guests would be long-time friends and family. So, in place of a gift,

I

asked that they write a memory or story and read it at the shower. I knew

this

request would disturb some people. Write? And, read it out loud?

But, in the end, my belief that there's a writer in all of us was

proven

true. The final creations included kind, sentimental and humorous words

read

about me, to me. It was one of the most meaningful days of my life and

everything was put in a keepsake book that I cherish to this day.

Remembering my wonderful experience, I couldn't wait for and her

family and friends to experience the same. was showered with

everything

from hand-written words on plain paper to printed words on formal

stationery.

While I was pleased with my own piece, complete with blackmail pictures from

our

junior high days, the writings from 's mother and future mother-in-law

were

the most moving of the day.

An only adopted child, and her mother held a strong

mother-daughter

bond that grew even stronger when her father passed away a few years ago.

Her

mother's memories - captured from the day she brought baby home to the

present day - were something would treasure forever.

Her future mother-in-law brought tears to the room when she read a

prayer

written when her son was just seven years old. The prayer asked God to have

her

son's future mate in His care and bless her with wonderful qualities

complementary to her son's. She concluded by sharing that God had not only

answered her prayer, but had exceeded it.

Tissue boxes were passed as tears flowed and love filled the room. It

was

a touching shower. One filled with memories. I can't wait to give

her

keepsake book, a gift no amount of money can buy.