Franklin County, Nebraska

For Another Day

A portion of last week’s column included a wedding that took place in 1900.

Almost a century later, on June 19, 1999, another wedding took place. This time the vows were said at sunset. I was fortunate to be able to attend and was so glad to be able to do so.

James Robinson and Sue Hollertz were married in the quiet town of Huntley at the recently acquired Huntley school, which they have made into a lovely home. The wedding was “a sight to see,” as the old saying goes. I felt honored to be one to those who walked the stately grounds that evening.

Upon arrival at their home they have named Saddle Creek, we were ushered into the decorated gym for the barbeque supper, so rightly prepared and tasting wonderful. After a private tour of their western adorned home, we went outside to visit with their family and friends. Under the large trees were tied quarter horses to hitching posts, which helped to set the scene of a time gone by.

The weather was cool and cloudy on this Saturday, but yet comfortable, as we journeyed to the small field west of their home. We sat on fragrant prairie hay bales to await the wedding party. The bales were aligned like pews in rows. The aisle was mowed native grasses, which glimmered with nature fire torches lighting the way to the cedar homebuilt arbor, covered with cedar boughs and white lights that lent a softness to the original meadow.

At the proper time, the prelude music was played by smoky Mountain. Then, we could hear them coming, “clip-clop, clip-clop” went the horses’ hooves on the beaten trail leading to the unseen door of the aisle, where the wedding party was unloaded from the wagons and ushered down the grassy walkway to their place of honor.

Also arriving with the wedding party was the soloist Melinda Ferree from Wilcox. She was dressed for the occasion in a brown taffeta dress, looking so old fashioned with a hat to match. It was so perfect that she was chosen to sing. A person just had to hear her to appreciate her lovely voice. So much thought had been put into this wedding, as each song was complementary to Rev. Paul Fiedler’s ceremony.

Once more the wagons came, with the groomsmen dressed in black and the bridesmaids wearing Victorian Era dresses. Each on a different design and being of blackened teal color. Each was so proud as they took their place at the altar. I wanted to see it all, so up on top of the bale I stood and I could see the out line of Jim astride his large horse in the distance. At he approached in the deep sunset of the eve, He resembled a fine Southern gentleman dressed in black, and rode in a relaxed sort of way to set a calmness for the event to come. Still on top of my bale I could see under the trees on the lawn of the house. Sue, on her Morgan Horse named Treka, rode toward us down the path to the rest of her life. Her white sleeveless dress was so white against her dark horse it almost looked blue. It hung over the back of the horse and shimmered as she rode with an easiness to meet her husband to be. Her white veil attached to her riding hat flowed with the breeze, and I thought, “She won’t ever forget this ride.” The ceremony under the arbor was celebrated with music and short words. As the “I do’s” were said, the white lights showing through the cedar boughs illuminated the bride and groom. As we all sat in harmony absolutely absorbed in the minister’s word and vocalist’s songs, I felt a quiet peace overcome us all. Then I felt chills up my spine as Melinda sang the unaccompanied closing song “God Bless the Child.” Long into the night the festivities continued at the gym in their home. Because of ingenious minds and tremendous hard work put forth for the wedding by its organizers, we all left for home with a feeling of being royally entertained.

Jim and Sue were blessed by God long before this day, and his blessings show in the couple’s surroundings and lives. All who know them will hold them in high esteem. Congratulations are hereby extended to Jim and Sue. Hallelujah, let us love one another.

From the desert I come to thee,
On a stallion shod with fire
I love thee I love but thee!
With a love that shall not die
Till the sun grows cold,
And the leaves of the Judgment book unfold.
Bayard Taylor.

Rena Donovan, For Another Day.

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