Taking a Little Break from LinkedIn - A Wedding Roast for Mom

Taking a Little Break from LinkedIn - A Wedding Roast for Mom My family has a long history of writing lyrics for every big family event, to the tune of Woody Guthrie’s “Hey Lolly.” Hey Lolly consists of rhyming lines, with “Hey lolly lolly lo” sung after each line and a longer refrain sung after each section. The job (or joy, should I say?) of writing these roasts used be owned by my creatively gifted dad. Since his death 20 years ago, I’ve carried on the tradition in my own way. I wrote songs for my two nephews when they were Bar Mitzvah’ed (one to the tune of “The Rainbow Connection,” and the other to Pharrell’s “Happy”). I’ve written wedding roasts for other friends, too. Up until now, never a Hey Lolly. But then my 75-year-old mom got engaged to be married, and it was time. A few months ago, I started thinking of everything I knew about my mom and her fiancé, asking them sneaky questions, and putting the best bits into rhyming coupletsâ€"which my family and I delivered last Saturday at her wedding. It will help you, as you read, to know a few things: My dad went to Yale and attended just about every Yale-Harvard Game that was hosted at Yale. My sister and her husband combined their names when they were married, to “Gostein.” My mom drinks kombucha like it’s water, and it’s not unusual to find an entire shelfful of the stuff in her fridge. The wedding took place in Austin, TX, where my mom moved to join my sister several years ago. The wedding had a cowboy theme and the fare was Texas barbecue. Now imagine that my family and I are on stage facing an audience of 200+ guests, with my mom and her fiancé in centrally located chairs facing the stage. My nephew is on the piano and each of the rest of us is singing a part that were appropriately assigned. I hope you enjoy! Hey Lolly for Marcia and Arnold â€" March 25, 2017 We gather here with joy and laughter To celebrate forever after Arnold, Marcia, now it’s time To roast you with a little rhyme. HEY LOLLY Arnold Lo â€" o â€" pez Cepero Is our tale’s swashbuckling hero And Marcia Bernstein is our queen Or should we call you Marcia Lopestein? HEY LOLLY Arnold ‘fore he met his new belle Spent many hours playing Free Cell, Passionate ‘bout his trips to India, Head filled up with loads of trivia… He likes to study all things quizzical Especially the astrophysical. Marcia spent her hours singing And hugs to her grandchildren bringing She built a life she loved in Austin, With family, friends, and temple tossed in. And what could you count on to sate her? Kombucha in the ‘frigerator. HEY LOLLY Both bride and groom led splendid lives, But something lacked on their insides In both their hearts there was a cavern And so each headed to a tavern. ‘Twas ‘round the middle of November A day we always will remember Marcia got a hunch and came To watch the Yale Harvard Game Arnold showed up too and met A lady he would n’er forget That day this couple’s fate was sealed While Ivies battled on the field. It’s strange that game was so much fun… ‘Cuz Yale lost… but these two won! One problem â€" Arnold had no number He couldn’t call her â€" what a blunder! But in the end his Yalie smarts Found a way to Marcia’s heart. HEY LOLLY Two plus years have passed and now Each has made a faithful vow, He puts sushi on her plate, And often keeps her up too late, She has curbed his too-sweet tooth, And brought him to the fount of youth. They’ve traveled to exotic lands, And always come back holding hands Masada brought them sacred blessing Just one step toward their cowboy wedding. Let’s wish them joy that overflows, And love that grows and grows and grows. HEY LOLLY So, that is what The Essay Expert does when I’m not writing about LinkedIn, resumes, or big life lessons. I could write one of these for anyone if I were provided enough material, so let me know if you would like to enlist my assistance. I’d love to have the chance to use this different part of my brain more often. I’d also love to hear your favorite stories and traditions for weddings and other family events. Please share in the comments! Save Save Save