Branka and Nenad Wedding

May 30, 2010 Branka i Nenad
When Branka told me about the wedding (some time in early February I think), started dreaming of the possibilities.  Pretty soon Joja posted a picture of a sunrise from their balcony and the dream got more vivid.  I have to find a way.  Start dreaming big and then adjust as you must.  Big dream for whole family to go. Too big. Miroslav can't get time off, Marko too busy with his business, Pero maybe, Milena likely, me maybe. Shifts and changes including change in date.  In meantime, Iskrica Gabric (my cousin's daughter) announced wedding on July 3 so the dream keeping shrinking and expanding.  True dream to attend both wedding of Branka and Iskrica, 2 people we love soooo much. My sister Nena's dream has always been to attend Iskrica wedding.  When Nena got cancer, Iskrica wedding (at some undetermined time in the future) kept her focused on a goal to attend Iskrica wedding. In the end Milena and I were the chosen 2 to represent the family, reconnect with our Rodic family (one of few Miroslav relatives), maybe meet some new relatives, see the homeland, take in what we can and be a part of 2 incredible weddings. I will try to post a few pictures that represent the feeling, the rest you can imagine if you're Serbian, if you can't imagine let me know and I'll tell you more off-line or show video and pictures gallore.  The whole preparation is tingling feeling, having Milena there to work with her sestre and friend Bojana, running errands, putting together meza, picking up torta and "svadben venac" and other flowers; my working with my Seja and talking about the wonder of being with each other and many times Seja comming back to reflect on the fact that Miroslav is her closest living relative now and little more than 10 years ago she did not even know he existed. 10 years ago we met Miroslav's sister, brother, sister-in-law and brother-in-law but unfortunately in the meantime sister-in-law died (shortly after we met her) and brother died too at young age. Likely enhanced by the agony of war (they were refugees, brother taken and beaten, living in all kinds of conditions, depression leading to alcohol and smoking more than ever, not eating regularly).  Seja would say "zamisli da je meni Miroslav sada najblizi na Svjetu" as we re-bonded and talked about how we found them.  I will post picture of sunrise on the day of wedding which is incredible view for me after 5:00 a.m. having listened, rather read play-by-play of Blackhawks beating Philadelphia Flyers 6:5 in first round of Stanley Cup playoffs, supplemented by connection to facebook friends who gave me embelished version, in the meantime hearing live music all night long from a street kafic.  Heaven!  Also posting house euphoria to the songs of "Svadba, Svadba" (the song just lifts for non-Serbian it's maybe hard to imagine but let me tell you for those who live it, it just makes you fly) and followed by "Sestra mi je Porucila da se Udaje" (Sister sent me message that she is getting married). Well, the first song had me crying of happiness, the second of sadness that at least one of our sons is not there to lend extra meaning to the song.  What follows is partying and singing non-stop in the little yard and down the street to the church for a beautiful service, followed by restaurant partying and singing non-stop from 3:00 p.m. to about 1:00 with the culmination of Nenad's buddies bringing back the soccer championshipo trophy.  They danced and sang and ate all day then went to play a finals match and came back with the trophy.