12 May 2017
This week I write not from the wilds of North East Scotland but from the home of the DM’s father and his wife, where the atmosphere is charged with both excitement and expectation. Tomorrow is the wedding of the DM’s sister and it is very much anticipated by the family. And the owner of the local off licence.
If you want the details Sarah is tying the knot with Stu at a luxury hotel nearby. It must be said Stu’s real name is a closely guarded secret, but it has long been suspected to me Stuyvesant.
Sarah is the second of six siblings, three of whom have children of their own, so I expect complete chaos with lots of shouting will permeate the next few days.
As an only child growing up in family where every expression of free-thought was regarded as a personal attack on those that raised you, I initially found visits to the family home daunting, overwhelming and rather intimidating.
We would usually be there for a special occasion which would mean lots and lots of people. I found being in the presence of so much noise, so many opinions and so much family freedom absolutely terrifying. A world where it was OK to speak freely was one very foreign to me.
It has taken a very long time to accept that it is fine to be yourself, that no matter how big the argument no-one is being cruel and that when people show they care they really mean it.
I suppose these feelings are as much to do with my own issues as they are my upbringing. A fair bit of OCD, probably a touch of ADHD and more than a soupcon of bi-polar is not a great mix. However, the opportunity to be part of a normal family is one I wrongly successfully managed to reject for many years.
These days though everything is very different. Some of the most enjoyable, fun and life affirming things I have ever taken part in or been involved with have been with the in-laws and without them life would be a much sadder place.
Back to tomorrows impending nuptials. It will be a joining, a union, a match to be much celebrated!
Unlike the one last weekend. Stu is a great fan of Middlesbrough football club and unfortunately they were relegated last Saturday, so I wouldn’t be surprised if he were to wear a black armband tomorrow and requested a minute’s silence before the match can take place.
Hopefully these scribblings have captured a little of the pre-match build-up and tomorrow I will be pew-side to bring you all the action first hand. On Sunday I will provide full post-match analysis, a few unsuitable photos plus some grainy wobbly iPhone footage should anyone makes a complete tit of themselves.
Things are starting to hot up around me so it must be time to go. I can’t compete with an in-depth discussion on the quality of confetti or a heated comparison as to who has the best fascinator.
Murrays Musings 