Tradition

For better or worse, boomers are the generation that made divorce acceptable. I’ve been through a couple of them myself, so you can understand that I often have a cynical attitude about weddings.

Yet here I was, up since 6:30 that morning, watching the Royal Wedding on television. And actually enjoying it.

The incredible combination of tradition and modernity, monarchy and celebrity, England and America.  The African-American Episcopal Bishop’s sermon about love, a choir singing “Stand By Me”, the flawless performance by a 19-year-old cellist, the look on Meghan’s Mother’s face, the look in the eyes of the bride and groom, the tens of thousands of spectators along the ceremonial route. Elton John, George Clooney and Oprah Winfrey in the church. Clear blue skies, a rarity in England. And hour and a half of the Today Show with no commercials.

Wedding vows spoken with British and American accents.

Watching something like this can restore belief in marriage, love and international and multigenerational relations.

My cynical side says the media coverage of the wedding of a prince in England is pointless. Another side of me says extensive media coverage of something positive happening at the top another country’s government is a welcome counterpoint to the extensive media coverage of the crap happening at the top of ours.