Saturday, February 2, 2013

The Wedding Buddha (Storytelling Sunday)

{Sian of From High in the Sky hosts a gathering of storytellers on the first Sunday of each month. For 2013, she invites people to share stories of the precious keepsakes in their lives. I'm sharing a love story, a propos for February. To read other stories, click on this link.}
I was on the verge of coming into my own.  I had been at college for two years and was beginning to have a sense of who I was and what I wanted to be, even if I wasn't exactly sure how to get there.  And that summer, I met a wonderful couple named Kris and Vince.  They were a few years older than me and had clearly already crossed that threshold.  They seemed fully realized people - smart, funny, well-traveled, great conversationalists and very much in love.  I treasured the time we spent together and aspired to be like them some day.  At the end of the summer, they were married in the Berkeley Rose Garden.  I was particularly enthralled with one of their wedding gifts - a simple white, porcelain Buddha. It's beauty and serenity, as well as its exotic nature, enraptured me. 
Kris and Vince moved up to Seattle to start their life together, and we kept in touch with Christmas cards and the occasional lunch when travel plans brought us to the same city.  Four years later, I sent them an invitation to my wedding.  They were unable to attend, but a gift arrived from them - a distinctive green box from Gump's. When I opened it, my heart skipped a beat when I saw this beautiful white porcelain Buddha. The fact that they remembered my reaction and sent that very special gift spoke volumes about the people they were.  
Now, almost thirty years later,  I still have my Wedding Buddha. It sits peacefully in our bathroom and reminds me that I was only truly able to come into my own when I found someone to cross that threshold with.

37 comments:

Anonymous said...

What an absolutely precious story Rinda. Love your Buddha and that you found how to be the person that you were destined to be.

debs14 said...

What a brilliant story, and I absolutely love that Buddha. Such peaceful serenity in a small piece of porcelain. I can see why it is so precious to you.

Missus Wookie said...

So nice that they remembered your reaction and were able to find one to send to you. Not surprised you keep him where you'll see him daily. Traveling towards your authentic self is such a good journey to have companions to travel with.

Amy said...

Some people are wonderful - this is a precious gift indeed.

Kirsty.A said...

What a great story. Thanks for sharing it with us

Jo said...

That is a wonderful story, they sound like really great friends and that budda is adorable x

Becky said...

What a wonderful gift and how thoughtful of them to remember how much you had liked theirs all those years later. x

Unknown said...

This is a great story, I love the buddha and they must indeed be a very special couple.

Sheena said...

What a wonderful story x
Your friends sound like really special people & I can totally understand how precious their gift is to you.

Sian said...

He is absolutely amazing - makes me want to reach out and pick him up. It's a wonderful story becasue it's not just about the object, it's about the people too. And that makes it perfect.

Thanks Rinda for sharing your precious with us today

Jane said...

what a lovely couple and such a thoughtful gift

Karen said...

What a fabulous story, and a wonderful gift!

Scrappi Sandi said...

What wonderful people & such a precious gift! The perfect reminder of such a happy & enlightening time in your life too! :D

scrappyjacky said...

Such a perfect gift,Rinda.

Denise said...

How special that was for you- I can feel the peace and serenity in him and how lovely for all of us to share our 'precious' things and memories x

♥ Liz ♥ said...

What a lovely story and how nice that your friends remembered how much you liked their Buddha.

Lythan said...

that last sentence just melted my heart. What a fabulous gift

Anonymous said...

What wonderful friends to remember how much you were taken with their Buddha. He looks so peaceful and calming.

Lou said...

a perfect story Rinda - they sound like wonderful friends x

Melissa said...

A great story for today - how wonderful that they remembered four years later & sent the perfect gift!

Alison said...

A perfect gift...how lovely of them to remember how much you loved THEIR Buddha!
Alison xx

Ginger said...

I love this story Rinda, such a meaningful gift, and beautifully told story.

Ladkyis said...

So precious, so beautiful. Thank you for sharing

Susanne said...

The items friends choose for us, say so much about them as well as about us. No wonder it is to precious to you.

Cheri said...

That's a lovely piece Rinda - and an even lovelier story behind it!

The Mann Fam said...

What a lovely telling of special friends, gift, and memory.

Carola Bartz said...

That is such a beautiful story, Rinda, and waht a precious and thoughtful wedding gift. Funny, in my circle of friends there is also a couple called Chris and Vince...

Jimjams said...

Wonderful story about a wonderful friendship!

Elizabeth said...

How kind of your friends to remember your liking the wedding Buddha. You must have been thrilled to receive it.

dogmatix said...

Beautiful story and I love your little sentiment at the end....I definately agree with it :-)

Deb @ PaperTurtle said...

Aw, don't you just love good friends who pay attention? I love that little Buddha, and the story behind him is lovely.

ComfyMom~Stacey said...

What a lovely story & how wonderful that they remembered how much you liked their Buddah

Irene said...

What a great story and gift from great friends. These little gifts that have meaning are worth more than gold.

Laurie said...

I remember those formative years and how important positive role models were in helping us decide what direction to head towards. Your Buddha represents so much about who you are and where you've been plus his happy disposition would make me smile whenever I saw him!

Jen said...

Oh what a beautiful story - and your Buddha eally made me smile. And you never spoke truer words than that last sentence - thanks so much for shareing. J x

Miriam said...

Oh what a wonderful story Rinda and so beautifully told. Truly precious, the Buddha and the memories.

Unknown said...

What a lovely story. It is such a blessing when we meet truly wonderful people along life's path.