Tears and Laughter

The day started off with a trip by me to Redding Terminal Market.  A wonderful mix of shops and stalls with a superb aroma of cooked meats and baking and flowers assaulting your nostrils as you walk in.  Great place to eat and buy fresh produce.  See extra for a meat counter groaning with huge cuts of meat.

As the morning was so sunny and beautiful I headed out.  The blip is my favourite photo of the day reflecting the Catholic Cathedral in a modern building.  From there, on up to Logan Square and the Franklin Institute.  Outside the building was a magnificent tree in bloom.  I think it is a dogwood - see second extra.  In any event it was in tip top condition.

On up the Benjamin Franklin Parkway to the Philadelphia Museum of Art, made famous from the scene in Rocky where Sylvester Stallone trains by running up and down the steps.  I did jog up them - but not run.  (The tour guides yesterday claimed the actor only did 10 steps, the rest being done by a stunt double!).

Nearby is the statue of him. I did not do the pose but people queue up to be photographed doing it.  I did find the statue of Washington in front of the museum much more impressive.

Back in time to get ready for a daily event.  Today was to have been the wedding celebration of our nephew and his wife. They got married just over a year ago but because of Covid the celebrations had been postponed until today.  This had been the main purpose of our trip.

Sadly, as we have known for many months, our nephew's wife has been battling terminal cancer for some time, The day before we left we had confirmation that she was too ill and the wedding celebration had been cancelled.  She has left hospital to be cared for at home.

Apart from a couple of guests who could not travel everyone has still come to Philadelphia to be with the family on both sides to show their support and just to be there.  

An event had been arranged for today to mark and celebrate their love.  There were some excellent speeches tailored to the circumstances and while our nephew's wife could not attend our nephew turned up and also spoke to us all.  Their motto is to live each day to the full and keep looking and planning forward.  There were lots of tears and bouts of laughter overlain with a sadness that this was not the day it was meant to be.

Still, the support and love in the room for them was tangible. While we have only ever met her on zoom we have memories of a vivacious lovely brave woman.