The Spring of 1942 was a joyous time for my family. We had come off a painful Winter, with the loss of my brother-in-law, Curt. The warmer, longer days gave our family hope that the hard times may finally be over and that better times were just around the corner. My family had a couple things to look forward to that Spring. My wife Jenny and I were expecting our fifth child in May. That same month, we had the wedding of my brother Ben to his beautiful fiancée Cindy to look forward to as well. Mary Ellen had given birth to her second son Adam in March, adding to our happiness.
April 10, 1942
Ben and his father worked in the mill.
"It's a perfect day out today." Ben smiled. "I think Spring is finally here."
"It'd better be, Son." John chuckled. "That Palm Sunday Snowstorm was really a surprise."
Ben laughed. "It sure was. That's Walton's Mountain weather for you. One day you think it's Spring and the next, it feels like January."
"This Spring's gonna be a good one." John smiled. "John-Boy and Jenny's baby and your wedding both. This Winter was tough but little Adam sure made for a good ending to the season."
"He sure did. Mary Ellen said giving birth to Adam was 'the last thing she did for Curt.'" Just speaking these words brought tears to Ben's eyes. Ben looked over and saw mist in his father's eyes as well.
John nodded. "Adam is Curt's son too."
Ben bit his lip. He had already cried many tears about the loss of his brother-in-law.
"Let's get back to work." John said.
Back in the house, Cindy was talking with the women.
"Since I'm an only child and really don't have any other family than my daddy, who will be walking me down the aisle, I'd like to include y'all in our wedding. Elizabeth, will you be my maid of honor?"
"Me? I'd love to Cindy if you want me."
"Want you? Of course! You've become like a little sister to me. All of you have become like sisters to me."
Cindy was close to all of Ben's sisters and his sister-in-law Jenny, but Cindy was especially close to 13-year old Elizabeth. Cindy was quite young herself, two weeks shy of her 17th birthday.
"Jenny, how comfortable are you in being a part of the wedding? I'd love to have you as an attendant, but I also know that you'll be due any day come May 16. What are your thoughts?"
"I'm due May 8th. I hope I will have had the baby by then, but you never know. Maybe I should just serve cake at the reception. If I can't be there, that would be an easier role to fill than if I were to be a bridesmaid."
"I understand. Thank you Jenny." Cindy smiled. "Mary Ellen, Erin, will you be my bridesmaids?"
"We'd love to."
"Joy, will you be my flower girl?"
"Yes!" the little girl grinned. She ran over and hugged Cindy.
"Oh, I love you Honey."
"I love you Cindy."
"Jenny, would John Jr. be the ring bearer?"
"He will." Jenny smiled.
"Perfect. Our honor attendants are set."
"Who did Ben choose?" Mary Ellen asked.
"Jason will be the accompanist. John-Boy is going to be the best man with Jim Bob and Yancy as groomsmen. And then John Jr. will be the ring bearer. We asked Ike and Corabeth to hand out programs as people came in and they said they'd be happy to."
"I can't wait to see you two get married." Erin beamed. "It's been a long time coming."
Cindy laughed.
"Ben needs someone like you in his life. He needs that sweetness in his life."
"Hey, he's not all bad!" Cindy laughed.
"I know." Erin smiled. "I'm just glad you're going to be our sister finally!"
"So am I."