It was a beautiful day. A perfect day for an outdoor wedding! The short, green grass covered the grounds of the Karen Blixen Museum, and the sky above was blue with a few white clouds. The temperature was a delightful cool 75 degrees Fahrenheit, a wonderful relief from the hot, sticky heat in the far-away land of Louisville, Kentucky. Wow! The Karen Blixen Museum! And me, here in Africa, walking, dressed in a gorgeous indigo blue and gold flowered gown, the dress falling all the way to my gold colored sandals. And there before me was the same house author Karen Blixen had lived in during the early 1900’s. She had written the book OUT OF AFRICA, which later became a movie that won seven academy awards in 1985. I had to pinch myself. I may actually own only ten DVD’s, and OUT OF AFRICA is one of them. I love that movie!

The above picture shows Paul, Kelly, myself, and Alan, in our African attire. The bride’s family had them made especially for us, and Irene’s sister, Lorna, had made it her personal mission that we receive these beautiful clothes as a gift, and that they fit properly. Irene has six sisters, six beautiful Ladies: Lillian, Lorna, Dorothy, Janet, Edna, and Pauline. Also two brothers, two beautiful men, Emmanuel and Brian. Josephine, whose middle name could be Love, is the matriarch of the family. Charles, their father, had passed about one year ago. They are a wonderful, close knit family.

The day before we had been driven to a local professional tailor in Nairobi. His name was David Adietan, and he had a tiny studio apartment where he created his outfits for his clients. I had picked the pattern for my gown and asked for blue and gold colors. My darling Man, Alan, would have a tunic and pants with the same colors. David, with his exceptional gifts as a tailor, created me a dress far beyond anything I had imagined! When I tried on the gown in a small, little dressing room, I couldn’t quit smiling. I felt like a queen! I looked like a queen! As you can see in the photo all four of us appear as if we are royalty, a prince and a princess, a king and a queen. And when I walked around the grounds at the wedding reception meeting and greeting people, both women and men would reach out to touch the material of that beautiful dress. It was simply irresistible, like positive phototaxis, the moth drawn to the flame. Compliments were spoken out loud often to the four Americans. The African guests were so appreciative we had attended in their African attire. And Irene had explained to us it is called Ankara fabric, and our clothes would be created in the styles and colors of their tribe.

The wedding was beautiful, under a white tent, with yellow flowers and white roses placed down the aisle, and all around the parameters of the tent. There was a large yellow and white flowered archway entrance. Myself and all the other guests sat down in the white, fold up chairs. Alan stood up front by the podium. I turned and noticed directly behind me a portrait of Charles, the father of the bride, had been placed in one of the chairs. It brought tears to my eyes, such a loving gesture to include him in this important event in the life of one of his beloved daughters. Then I heard the music begin. And the most amazing thing happened! The bridal party did NOT sedately walk down the aisle to take their designated spots for the ceremony. No! The bridal party danced down the aisle, smiling and grooving to the music. Felix, the groom, and his best man first, followed by the groomsmen, and then the bridesmaids and matron-of-honor. All the guests were clapping, and doing some of their own swaying and moving with the music. Then the music changed, beautiful and classical, and the bride appeared, gorgeous in her white gown, a soft flowing veil surrounding her face, and a long, twenty foot train trailing behind her. It was like a fairy tale. I can be a true romantic at times and “such a sap” as the old saying goes. I shed a few more tears. It was all so lovely.

The reception tent was also white, with bright lights scattered about and brilliant chandeliers hanging from the ceiling beams. Round tables with white and gold chairs sat on each side of a wide dance floor. Oh! I couldn’t wait till the dancing would begin! But first the bridal party, which graciously included the four American guests, walked across the yard and under a few trees, where the bridal supper had been arranged. This area was the original site which still contained the metal equipment that had ground up the coffee beans that Karen Blixen had grown with the help of her field workers. A fire had destroyed her crop of coffee beans. (But I won’t say any more in case you decide to watch the movie.) And here I was, eating my preferred vegetarian dinner of rice and beans, with tomatoes and salad, enjoying the company of fine people, and feeling like I was in a movie!

I heard the loud music start up in the distance, followed by the happy shouts and laughter of the other guests. It sounded like a rock star had arrived! I headed up the small slope, back to the reception area. It was time to dance. All the sisters had promised to dance with me. But I think my Angels had other plans for me. I never made it to the dance floor. So many guests stopped to talk to me. It was quite wonderful! I think partly because of THE DRESS! But also they wanted to talk to an American, to hear my southern accent, to introduce themselves, and once or twice even take a picture with me. Then I heard the sound of quiet as the last song ended. The father of the groom was to give a speech of gratitude, and a blessing was to be given by a local pastor.

As I slowly made my way to find Alan and sit under the tent, I remember thinking about how abundant my life was. I have known for a few decades how I live an incredible life. How abundance is all around me, and all I had to learn to do was to watch for it, and to keep my arms wide open to receive it, and like a boomerang allow it to flow back out again. And here it was again, evidenced by many things, like the luxurious white tents. One for the reception dinner, one for the open bar for any type of drink you would like. The beautiful wedding ceremony, all the lights, and pretty dresses and shoes, the men’s suits, and the marvelous music played all evening. The fabulous wedding cake, chocolate and orange. It was all eye candy and a joy to take in all the details. But what really filled up my senses, overflowed my cup, were the people. I walked across that lawn like the Queen Joan the Beautiful that I am, and I saw the same beauty in every person I met, reflected back to me like a mirror. I felt the generosity and kindness that is innate in each of us. I heard the local pastor blessing all of us, connecting each of us to the other, and asking for great Health, Happiness, Money, and Love in our lives.

I was in Africa, my cup spilling over.

c   Love, Joan