July 10, 2004,
Marriage vow renewal
of Rocco Thomas Valenzano & Michele Ann
Patterson, Ceremony performed by Rev. Arlene
Witnessed by Dick Birdsall (and his wife Prilla in
her heart, yet in her absence), of South Egremont,
Berkshire County,
The summer breezes of the mountain resonated the presence
of a Revolutionary
War veteran long since fallen;
as the wedding of his namesake on these lands when in centuries
past
were ancestral homes of the bride.
The wind for a
brief moment, even if only in imagination,
seemed able to carry his voice to her -
“Dear great-granddaughter of mine,as
you are now so once was I….
Who do you present
and request in the name of God
be eternally within the wing of our heraldy?" - he inquired.
“A
knight…."
she answered.
“A knight?!"” he questioned her - "I see no suit of armor, no
blade of steel, no steed on which to mount and display his chivalry and yet you
name him a knight. Define for me if you will your characterization of a knight?” he requested of her.
She replied ….. "At the hour of his most excruciating pain his
only concern is my comfort. When brought to his knees only undeserving
forgiveness will he extend. He possesses strength
where I have none and his conscience of loyalty and truth are unwavering. His
bravery and valor has sustained him through the heavily guarded depths that
lead to the core of my heart. He can exorcise ghosts that haunt me and rescue
me from myself, the most wicked demon of all. He
receives little recognition and expects none. Only my presence he considers his
just reward.”
“Selfish, saintly
demands you require. Such that even a knight in shinning
armor would find difficulty rising to”
her fifth great grandfather chastised
her. Yet he sighed and continued, "However, such acts I have
silently witnessed. By the hand he led you through the forest on the lands I
once trod. Alone you would have felt lost, loneliness and fear. All of this was
removed by the guidance of his hand. His knowledge, commitment and compassion found
you my place of rest. Such as you trust in him, he will forever find your way.
A most honorable addition to our family…. - In the name of God, so be it."”
Raising
his voice he sternly yet affectionately asked of her,
"To whom do you raise this family’s chaliceand condemn your knight in shinning armor?"
She
simply replied .... "My husband."
“ Make their life together a sign of Christ's
love to this sinful and broken world,
that unity may
overcome estrangement, forgiveness heal
guilt,
and joy conquer despair - “
Authored
by Michele
Ann (Patterson) Valenzano born 1969, Descendant of (5th great-granddaughter)
Charles
Patterson (1745-1837)
written for & read to her husband Rocco Thomas Valenzano, dubbed
Sir Rocco of
at the renewal of their wedding vows at the Unitarian Church
of Christ in