People watching

Last Saturday Husband, Baby B, and I ventured out for a walk and a picnic by one of the lakes in the city. The weather was absolutely spectacular- lots of sun and a great breeze. The sailboats were racing on the lake, people were out paddling, swimming, walking, biking, and roller blading. We found a shady spot under some great trees on the northeast side of the lake near the rose garden where we spread out our blanket ate, napped, read, people watched, and played together.

Throughout the course of the afternoon we watched as set up was taking place for a wedding ceremony among the roses across the street. We saw the wedding party milling around in their brightly colored dresses and nice tuxedos, the old fashioned car for after the wedding, and the bride and groom posing for pictures near the gardens.

As all the walkers and bikers went by, they would remark about the gardens or maybe the wedding that was going to take place. Then, as the time for the ceremony was near, people began to gather just off the walking path, near where we were, to watch as the bride processed in and the ceremony got underway.

From where I sat, I couldn't see the wedding but I could see all the onlookers. It was really fun to watch the group grow in size, the people stand quietly and most with big smiles on their faces. No one crossed the street or tried to go anywhere near the ceremony, they just stood and watched from afar with great happiness for complete strangers as they got married. I found the whole scene very touching. It just seemed so marvelous, so friendly, and so happy. I don't know why, but it really made me feel good about people- that they are inherently good, that they do delight in each others happiness, and that we really are social creatures. It is great to know that people revel in each others happiness and that weddings, although they happen every day, are still sacred events to most people.