A Beautiful Bridesmaid
June 8, 2009
Recently, Mariah was a bridesmaid for her best friend, Suzanna, and her new husband Glen. Her brother Clay and I made the trip to DC to participate, too. Clay played music which you can hear on the first video. Mariah had a cold the entire time, but she never slowed down. Here’s the evidence.
Here’s a gallery of the event:
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- The Wedding Party (Elkridge, MD, 5/09)
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- At the Rehearsal (Elkridge, MD, 5/09)
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- Best Friend and Bride Suzanna (Elkridge, MD, 5/09)
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- Bridesmaids and Groom, Glen (Elkridge, MD, 5/09)
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- Bridesmaids in Waiting (Elkridge, MD, 5/09)
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- The Musician (Elkridge, MD, 5/09)
The next day Mariah and I made a day trip to Bethany Beach, Delaware, where we often summered when she and brother were kids. The day was cold, windy and wet, and Mariah was still under the weather, but she wanted to see the ocean so off we went.
At the Beach (Bethany Beach, DE, 5/09)
The drive seemed longer and the town smaller than I remembered. We took a quick peek at the old haunts, clucking our tongues at all the changes, then grabbed burgers and fries at Five Guys (one of the positive changes). Thus fortified, we plunged back into the blowing, chilly rain and made our way to the beach.
The nasty weather had driven all but the hardiest of souls from town, so we were pretty much by ourselves on the boardwalk at the top of the dune. I held an umbrella and read from All Things Wise and Wonderful while Mariah listened and laughed from under her hood. The charming and touching stories told by an English country veterinarian prevailed against the backdrop of the pounding surf and blowing wind, and we were warmed.
After a few chapters, we marched back into town. We bought some sweets at the Candy Kitchen and found some tasty gelato in a quiet cafe that would be a chaos of vacationers in just a few days. Then we clambered back into her old Subaru Outback and pointed the bow toward Washington, DC.
– Mark
Mariah's Reemergence 
Thank you Mark for the update. It looks like Suzanna had a wonderful wedding and your outing to the beach seems perfect in spite of the inclement weather–keeps the riff raff out. I look forward to my next DC trip so Mariah and I can do the same!
Leah
Mariah, Mark and Clay,
Wonderful. Glad to see Mariah doing fun things. She looks so good in Mark’s videos. Thank you so much for the update. Please take care.
Wayne
She looks so lovely, just as she did when I met her at our wedding. I think she was 8.
Dear Mariah and Clay,
The photos are just beautiful. Dana Williams just wrote me about your web-site- how do we get in touch?
I miss you so much,
Love,
Samira (samirakdhanji@yahoo.com)
(802 578 5948)
Mark/Clay –
Thanks so much for keeping this website going. I’d like to send Mariah a card or similar, but don’t know where to send it or how to find out. Is there an address?
Thanks
Steph Lawton
Mariah!! You look great!! I have been meaning to get in touch with you. Remember me from the VA hospital at Richmond. We were in the TBI unit together. Man you’re looking good! I’m not doing to bad myself, though. Keep it up Mariah!! So will I.
Sam
P.S. Do have an address or contact info? If not that’s ok. Take care Mariah.
Mariah & Dad,
How are your socks pulled up right now? You may not rememeber that reference, Mariah, but if you remember me…then it’s time to pay up:)
There are a few things that we have to do. I already saw the picture of you in the kayak.
What are you up to now, though? The entries stop in June. Are you that tough to keep up with? If you’re still at the Great Walter Reed (I say that with the most incredible sarcasm) please let me know.
The Former SPC Mini….
I am so saddened by your departure..you always made my visits to WR a lighter burden for this old soldier…I will miss your smile and laugh…..
Mariah,
I know you won’t remember me, but I remember you. I was two years behind you at Tufts, and I recall being incredibly impressed with you and your military service plan (not to mention your super-cute short haircut). We only chatted briefly a couple of times, but you were always extremely nice to me. Intimidated first-years remember things like that.
My mother-in-law, who volunteers with vets as a TR assistant at Rock Creek Park, mentioned you to me in an email after reading the recent Washington Post Arlington caisson horse/TR article. My husband and both his siblings went to Sidwell and apparently your mother taught the middle sibling (Peter). I saw your name and thought, “Mariah? How many veterinarians in the military named Mariah can there be?!” And sure enough, here you are!
I am delighted to read (and see) that you are on the road to recovery, and I wish you all the best.
-Danielle (Torin) Lafave
Tufts V’08
Hello Mariah,
My name is Bola from the Greenbelt boot camp program.
I haven’t written for a while, but I think of you often.
There was an article in the newspaper a month or two ago about using horses and horse ridding as therapy,in which you were mentioned. I was just reading about Dr. Jill Bolte Taylor (http://drjilltaylor.com/), and her inspiring story reminded me of you, your courage and determination, and your journey of revovery. I just wanted to let you know that I think of you and your family often, and to wish you all a very happy holiday season, and the greatest new year ever.
Cheers,
Bola ‘2k9
Hi,
I have a son that has arthrogryposis and I have hope for him when I see other people with arthrogryposis helping themselves. My son is three years old and we live in Jamaica, the Caribbean and health care and therapy is difficult to get for arthrogryposis patients. I feel really motivated seeing her taking part in the wedding. Keep being friends