Trying to Keep My Grandson Quiet During My Son’s Wedding

During my son’s wedding my little four-year-old grandson was under the chair next to me for part of the ceremony.

He was a ring-bearer, his little one-year-old sister a flower girl, and with both of his parents in the wedding, the plan was that the kids would both get to the babysitters waiting off to the side after their decent down the aisle.

When Jacob took his walk down the aisle, leaving little sis behind with stage fright, as soon as he saw grandma, he took a seat next to me. I could read my daughter’s lips saying, “I’m so sorry,” which came with deer in headlight eyes.

While he laid on the floor under the chair I wondered if I was going to be able to keep him from bringing too much attention on us. Finally, after he popped back up and sat in his seat I thought I was in the clear.

Until…

He began asking me questions. Whispering, “Shhhh, Jake, be quiet.”  “Grandma, you be quiet,” was his response.

Was I upset? Not at all. It was all very amusing for me, and frankly, I was elated that I was even there. Considering this was during COVID-19 and in Texas while we live in California I had focused on being as safe as possible, so I could get to the big day.

Only just a few days prior I thought all of my efforts were for not, because we had a big scare and feared we weren’t going to make it.

This is what happened…

I rolled over in the middle of the night and when I put my arm around my husband his body was red hot. I knew he had a fever. My first thought was, “Oh man! I flew all the way here and now he’s got the coronavirus and I’m gonna miss the wedding!” You would have thought my first thought would have been for my husband’s wellbeing but I’m not that saintly, all I could think about was that I was going to miss the wedding.

I prayed that in the morning his temperature would be normal and it would all just seem like a bad dream.

But in the morning he was still pipping hot. We prayed together and asked God for healing as the panic set in that I might be missing my son’s wedding.

And then…

I began to think about the day before. Mike had complained of a headache. It was hot all day and we spend a good portion of the day outside, and not only that, but Mike had played on the playground—outside—with our other grandson who’s four. Imagine grandpa up and down the jungle gym running after our little grandson. Then, we spent the remainder of the day setting up tables and chairs for the wedding.

I asked Mike, “How much water did you drink yesterday?”

His answer, “Not much.”

Oh sweet Jesus…

“Honey,” I said almost excited, “You’re dehydrated.” I wanted to take a victory lap around our hotel room.

We got him some water and within a few hours he was back to normal.

All this to say, my grandson under the chair and telling me to be quiet during the wedding was a complete joy. I was just happy I was there, and could cry my way through the ceremony, while I did my best to keep Jake content.

“Pray without ceasing; in everything give thanks; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

– Thessalonians 5:17-18

Lucille Williams is the author of “From Me to We” and “The Intimacy You Crave: Straight Talk about Sex and Pancakes”  order a copy today to enhance your marriage. Subscribe to LuSays.com for weekly encouragement.