I can't say that I have ever particularly admired Jenna Bush. In fact, I can't say that I have formed much of an opinion of her one way or another. Like most kids, she has had to navigate her life within the lightfall generated by her parents. In her case, that has meant an extraordinary glare of light. Except for a few bumps in the road, I suppose she has done as well as most.
But today she has my unmitigated admiration. The President's daughter, she is getting married today not in the grandeur of the White House under the scrutinizing gaze of the world, but at the ranch which, according to her own description, better fits her personality. Good for her. I can't imagine the allure of a White House wedding -- and the pressure to treat the citizenry to one of our few opportunities to indulge in "royal pageantry." It would have been fine with me had she chosen that route. The problem is that it would not have been all that fine with her. The protocols would have chafed; the cameras would have distracted; the pundits would have critiqued, the myriad social secretaries would have fashioned and packaged a national event befitting the household of a head-of-state, and it would have been grand. It just wouldn't have been "her."
And a wedding is not about the nation. It is about two people and the breathtaking promises they are making to each other. It is about the construction, through conviction and symbol and blessing and vow, of a marriage that will hopefully last longer than the public's titillated attention, this couple, like any couple, has a right to keep their focus on this important act of creation. The legal system has a responsibility to ratify and record such an exchange -- in that sense a wedding is public -- but the world does not have the right to crash the party. I am not entitled to munch their mints or sip their punch, just because her dad is a global figure.
Good for you, then, Jenna, and your courage to honor your personal integrity. And good for you George and Laura, for respecting her wishes with your blessing. A White House wedding could have been grand, but a ranch wedding will be dear. So have a great time. Be "off duty" for the evening -- all of you. Be family. Make sacred and tender memories. Whoop if you choose to. Shed a tear if you need to. Get cake all over your mouths. Dance. Be in love.
It will be OK. We won't be watching.
But today she has my unmitigated admiration. The President's daughter, she is getting married today not in the grandeur of the White House under the scrutinizing gaze of the world, but at the ranch which, according to her own description, better fits her personality. Good for her. I can't imagine the allure of a White House wedding -- and the pressure to treat the citizenry to one of our few opportunities to indulge in "royal pageantry." It would have been fine with me had she chosen that route. The problem is that it would not have been all that fine with her. The protocols would have chafed; the cameras would have distracted; the pundits would have critiqued, the myriad social secretaries would have fashioned and packaged a national event befitting the household of a head-of-state, and it would have been grand. It just wouldn't have been "her."
And a wedding is not about the nation. It is about two people and the breathtaking promises they are making to each other. It is about the construction, through conviction and symbol and blessing and vow, of a marriage that will hopefully last longer than the public's titillated attention, this couple, like any couple, has a right to keep their focus on this important act of creation. The legal system has a responsibility to ratify and record such an exchange -- in that sense a wedding is public -- but the world does not have the right to crash the party. I am not entitled to munch their mints or sip their punch, just because her dad is a global figure.
Good for you, then, Jenna, and your courage to honor your personal integrity. And good for you George and Laura, for respecting her wishes with your blessing. A White House wedding could have been grand, but a ranch wedding will be dear. So have a great time. Be "off duty" for the evening -- all of you. Be family. Make sacred and tender memories. Whoop if you choose to. Shed a tear if you need to. Get cake all over your mouths. Dance. Be in love.
It will be OK. We won't be watching.
No comments:
Post a Comment