New frontiers, new journeys, new experiences, and new memories
to be made. These thoughts race through
my head today as I sit in this quiet hotel room.
Today, something happens for the first time in my family in
probably 70 years. A Bumpus changes
their name. Today, my beautiful Niece
Alexandria Michelle Bumpus will become Mrs. Joshua Ryan McDonald.
I have to take pause as I read that back to
myself… That strikingly pretty little girl, ponytail tied on top of her head,
couldn’t help but dance every time she heard the slightest cadence of rhythm,
eyes that would strike holes through steel with her inquisitiveness, becomes a
bride. And then a wife. And then a
mother for young Mason.
To my brother Tom and sister-in-law Angie, all I can say is “well
done”. You have brought Alex to this
point. You have crafted her and guided
her into the thoughtful loving woman that shall stand before us in white here
in a few hours. Your nights of lying
awake and worrying about her future and what life held for her have paid
off. The example you have set for her
has had the desired result and that is a spiritual, hard working, happy young
woman, whom has grabbed the world by the horns, settled for nothing, fallen
deeply head over heels in love and is prepared for this next phase of
life. Rest in the comfort of knowing
that your little girl may be grown, but is not gone. She still is yours and will be forever.
To my soon to be nephew, Josh… Congratulations and welcome
to our family. We are proud to have
you. We know that you love Alex and in
turn, we see the love that she has for you.
Thank you for being the man you are.
Continue to be that loving father to Mason and husband to Alex as you
set out on life's journey together. Love
her through all of the rocky paths you may take. Love her through all of the struggles that
will surely lie before you, as they do all couples. Love her through all of the smiles and tears,
the laughter and sorrows, the triumphs and tragedies. We love you and couldn’t imagine a finer
addition to our lives.
My sweet radiant Alex.
I have never been more proud of a young woman and the life that she has made
for herself. I love who you are. I love who you have become, and I can’t wait
to see what life holds for you. You make
me smile. There are no words of wisdom
that I can give you that you probably have not already heard but just know, you
have an uncle a hundred and a half miles down the road that will drop
everything in a second to help you or to be a kind word of guidance whenever
the need arises. Be thankful for your
parents and the way that they have raised you.
Hang on to those memories of breakfasts with your daddy. Airline peanuts at the end of a trip. The proud smiles of a mother as you trotted
to the highest prizes in the land. More
words later for just you and I.
Thank you for the memories that we were able to make on our
motorcycle trip a couple months back and here’s too many many more of the same. Your Uncle “Too-it” will always love you.
What a happy happy day.
Everyone reading, at 4PM on October 6th, 2012,
raise a glass and lift a toast to Mr. and Mrs. Josh McDonald and wish them all
the best in the world. I love them both.
Ride Safe and with Purpose.
