Sunday, April 20, 2008

Wedding Bell Blues

I grew up in a small town where it was customary to honk your horn when driving by a wedding party gathering outside of a church. It was supposed to be a gesture of good luck, of solidarity; a way of celebrating with the newly married couple. The bride and groom and respective friends and family members would always wave when honked at, looking beyond excited and happy that someone wanted to share their special day with them.

Imagine my glee when we drove by a Catholic church yesterday on the way to taking baby boy to the zoo. I saw a group of finely dressed people as we approached the church, and the small-town girl in me bubbled to the surface, so I asked the Hubs to lay on the horn to congratulate the happy couple. I told him to keep honking 'til we passed the church - after all, I wanted the couple to know we were happy for them! As we inched closer to the church, though, I noticed that people weren't waving. In fact, everyone looked rather...well, melancholy.

It wasn't until a moment after the honking stopped and we were a good 50 feet past the church that I realized we were honking at a funeral party.

6 comments:

Knick Knack Paddy Whack, Throw This Mom a Bone said...

Ouch...talk about uncomfortable. I can only imagine the thought process you went through when you realized they were mourners...that would make a great movie scene.

WORKING MOM said...

Is it all right if I say that that is hilarious? For me, not for you or the family, but awkwardly funny.

McKenzie said...

For most decent people, sure - it would've been an awkward situation. For me, though - well, of course I found humor in it after feeling bad for about 15 seconds. I just hope no one took down the license plate number - a gaggle of angry mourners showing up at my doorstep would not be a good start to the week.

Matter Of Fact Mommy said...

i'm so with you - i find it utterly hilarious. did you think that maybe it was a little strange (just a little) that the "wedding party" was all dressed in black with somber looks on their faces?

:p

Unknown said...

LMAO. I'm with the others, too funny.

Elisabeth said...

Hilar. At least you showed you cared. In your own special way. Still laughing over here.