It is wedding time and our Marcus is soon to be a married man.
As a little boy he was our quietest child, with a keen eye for beauty in nature. Marcus paid attention to the freshly cut flowers at the grocery store with: Mommy, aren’t those pretty? and was quick to point out a glowing sunset or cluster of stars. He was generous with his sticks and leaves and plucked flower giftings. As a fourteen-month-old he presented me with decorative rocks from our side yard, bringing them to me one by one as I thanked him, cupping the mound and pronouncing them beautiful.
Somehow decades have whirled by. What I wouldn’t give for one more weedy flower or rock.
***
Several months ago I received an exquisite gift from Marcus.
I listened and wept and listened and wept and listened and smiled.
Marcus and his friend, Mason, (also a newlywed) collaborated to write and sing this song. Dedicated to us, their mothers.
A slow, gentle farewell.
Mason’s voice begins, followed by Marcus with:
We read through books…
You’ve Been There (produced by Marcus)
I will treasure this gift for a lifetime.
The Palest Ink 