to celebrate love

miss constante, one of the nurses in the clinic invited me to her sister's wedding which was scheduled last night, but there were not other american volunteers going, so i'd be on my own. but, after attending my third funeral in less than 3 weeks yesterday, i decided it was high time for something happy. so, i jumped in the car with one of the haitian guys who works for espwa and speaks a little bit of english and set out for a haitian wedding.

it was beautiful. set in a small white church at dusk with lots of flowers and an amazing musical selection. they had a complete high mass (i think everyone except for me is catholic here in haiti) and the bride was gorgeous. we went to the reception at someone's house and had drinks, rice, beans, and plantains (which i could eat every single day). they played tropical music and had traditional haitian dances. i came home just in time for the evening rain shower. peter (who is sort of the innkeeper/volunteer coordinator right now) was waiting up to make sure i got home okay. he said he called my mom to tell her i ran off to get married (he has 3 grown daughters, so i think he's extra good at giving his girl volunteers a hard time :-)

it was just so nice to hang out with some of the folks who work at espwa in a social setting. i sat at a table with 3 of the men who work with the kids. i've never seen a more dedicated staff of older male figures nurturing, disciplining, and caring for each of the 800 children who walks through espwa's doors. they have huge hearts. and last night they were telling me that after the series of sad events, i needed to get out and see haiti. because if i don't, i won't want to be back.

i bought a bottle of wine in the city yesterday when peter went into town to get supplies so i would have a gift for the wedding. when i got to the reception, i asked renault - one of the men in charge of espwa (and attendees at the wedding) where the gift table was located or if there was a certain tradition of gift giving. he gave me a quizzical look and said, 'that is not important here.' of course i gave it anyway, but that comment really struck me.

i think maybe it's because people don't have much to give, but the ramifications of that is actually quite beautiful. because, now the event is not about where the couple is registered, or their new apartment/condo/home, or where they are going on their honeymoon. it becomes about the marriage. people come to support a couple in their committment to each other. they come to watch a sacrament take place. they come to share a meal. they come to celebrate love.

i think that's pretty cool and it's a lesson i'll take with me when i leave haiti.