主题：The Blessed Dress

The Blessed Dress By Sandy Williams Driver

　

I got an engagement ring[1] for Christmas. My boyfriend and I had been dating for almost a year and both felt the time was right to join our lives together in holy[2] matrimony[3]. The month of January was spent planning our perfect Alabama June wedding. My mother, two sisters and I went to Huntsville, the closest town with a selection of bridal[4] shops, to buy the gown[5] that would play the leading role[6] on my special occasion. We had a wonderful time just being together and sharing silly jokes, but the day soon turned serious by afternoon: still no sign of the dress of my dreams. Both sisters were ready to give up and try another day in another town, but I coerced [7]them into one more boutique[8]. I had a good feeling as we entered the quaint[9] little shop filled with the scent of [10]fresh flowers. The elderly clerk showed us several beautiful gowns in my size and price range, but none were right. As I opened the door to leave, the desperate[11] shop owner announced she had one more dress in the back that was expensive and not even[12] my size, but perhaps I might want to look at it anyway. When she brought it out, I squealed[13] in delight. This was it! I rushed to the dressing room[14] and slipped it on[15]. Even though it was at least two sizes too large and more costly than I had anticipated, I talked Mom into buying it. The shop was so small it didn't offer alterations, but my excitement assured me I would be able to get it resized in my hometown. Excitement wasn't enough. On Monday morning, my world crumbled[16] when the local sewing shop[17] informed me the dress simply could not be altered because of numerous[18] hand-sewn[19] pearls [20]and sequins[21] on the bodice[22]. I called the boutique for suggestions but only got their answering machine[23]. A friend gave me the number of a lady across town who worked at home doing alterations[24]. I was desperate and willing to try anything, so I decided to give her a call. When I arrived at her modest white house on the outskirts[25] of town, she carefully inspected my dress and asked me to try it on. She put a handful of[26] pins[27] into the shoulders and sides of my gown and told me to pick it up [28]in two days. She was the answer to my prayers. When the time came to pick it up, however, I grew skeptical[29]. How could I have been so[30] foolish as to just leave a $1,200 wedding dress in the hands of someone I barely knew? What if she made a mess of[31] it? I had no idea if she could even sew on[32] a button. Thank goodness my fears were all for naught[33]. The dress still looked exactly the same, but it now fit as if it had been made especially for me. I thanked the cheerful lady and paid her modest fee. One small problem solved just in time for a bigger one to emerge[34]. On Valentine's Day[35], my fiance[36] called. "Sandy, I've come to the decision that I'm not ready to get married[37]," he announced, none too[38] gently. "I want to travel and experience life for a few years before settling down[39]." He apologized for the inconvenience[40] of leaving all the wedding cancellations[41] to me and then quickly left town. My world turned upside down[42]. I was angry and heartbroken [43]and had no idea how to recover. But days flew into weeks and weeks blended into[44] months. I survived. One day in the fall of the same year, while standing in line at the supermarket, I heard someone calling my name. I turned around to see the alterations lady. She politely inquired about my wedding, and was shocked[45] to discover it had been called off[46], but agreed it was probably for the best. I thanked her again for adjusting my wedding gown, and assured her it was safely bagged[47] and awaiting the day I would wear it down [48]the aisle[49] on the arm of my real "Mister Right[50]." With a sparkle in her eye, she began telling me about her single son, Tim. Even though I wasn't interested in dating again, I let her talk me into[51] meeting him. I did have my summer wedding after all, only a year later. And I did get to wear the dress of my dreams - standing beside Tim, the man I have shared the last eighteen years of my life with, whom I would never have met without that special wedding gown.

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