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“I was listening to a song
by Nora Jones,” explains James Christensen. “At one
point she sings, 'In a boat that’s built of sticks and hay,
we drifted from the shore . . . .' It occurred to me that a new
marriage is like a tiny nest of sticks and twigs and on the river
of life, our relationships act like a boat that holds us together
as we travel along its meandering path. Through their journey
together, this newlywed couple will build stronger supports into
their fledgling nest until it will be a shelter able to withstand
even the fiercest of storms.
“The shoreline of the river
is bountiful with signs that good fortune will accompany this
newlywed couple throughout their passage. Heart-shaped bushes
populate the undergrowth along the river’s edge. Lemons,
a universal symbol of marital happiness, ripen abundantly on
a tree. Next to it, the oranges signify that they hope to start
a family. The white lilies are an indication of purity and virtue,
and the irises represent faith and hope. Peace and friendship
in the family can be expected since a pair of swallows blesses
this couple with their presence.” |