April Showers

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April showers bring May flowers. What a lovely promise. The harsh winter months and the unpredictable days of March are behind us for another year. There is nothing more relaxing than hearing the patter of a gentle Spring rain. If you have ever slept under a tin roof during a spring shower, you remember it well. After such a rain, a fresh, sweet smell perfumes the air. Watch for puddles, take a deep breath and enjoy one of April’s thirty days. April promises more than flowers.

Ahead will be proms, graduations, trips, feasts of early vegetables popping up in gardens, and of course, shedding heavy clothes and our shoes. On April 8, 1956, a young woman from Swainsboro and a young man from Arkansas stood at the altar of Swainsboro’s First Methodist, and Reverend Vernard Robinson asked for a promise from the bride and groom. “Do you promise to love, honor and cherish each other for as long as you both shall live?” The answers were “I Do”. That promise has been kept for sixty-eight years. This lovely wedding was one of the highlights of my mother’s life. The sadness was that the father of the bride was no longer living. The surrogate was my uncle, Barry McIntyre. Mr. C.E. Reed decorated the church as a beautiful April Day and included a possible shower. The bridesmaids carried unopened parasols adorned with spring flowers. The church

including the balcony was filled with Proctors, McIntyres, family of the groom from Arkansas and life-long Swainsboro friends. A traditional reception was held at the community house. There was no caterer. Food and punch were prepared by my mother and neighbor Marie Moore. A good time was had by all. My mother-in law told me later that as she stood in the receiving line, at least every

third person to greet her said, “I am Lewis’ cousin.” I replied that was probably correct.

It was a happy unforgettable day---and no rain. As you might know my “Rambling Wreck” from Arkansas has been deceased since 2021 but never deceased from my heart. Again, I wish you the joy and delightful promises of April. Write to Shirley at sptwiss@gmail.com