From the back to the front.  This kind of seems backwards, but this is what happened to me this weekend as I sat in front of the stage watching the coronation of Regina Maria XLIII at the West Virginia Italian Heritage Festival.

 

As I have prayed many times for the sun to shine on that Friday and it did every opening with the exception of a light mist that quit right before the ceremony started.

 

When I was in the back, I wondered if everything was in order.  I wanted to make sure that at least 25 girls were ready to lead the procession that would eventually announce the Queen.  I became nervous as I watched the minor court wiggle, wondering just how many were going to back out, but none ever did.  Then I rechecked the script to make sure no names were deleted.

 

As the court and the dignitaries gathered in the Court House, I became a little nervous wondering what important item I had forgotten. If I ever did, I was never reminded and I knew I had to move on to the next event that came after the coronation.

 

Then, as I sat in front of the stage, when the music started, I immediately looked at Bank One for the clock to make sure it was noon and time for the coronation to start.  But the clock is not there so in front of the stage I had to trust that it was time.  I listened intently to the script as it was read by the announcer and from the front I did not detect one error.  From the front of the stage I was Impressed to see all the beautiful smiles on the faces of the court, where from the back I only admired their hairstyles.

 

It was great to see all the wiggling and waving of the minor court to their families. From the front of the stage I finally realized that all our planning had to be seen to know that we have attained our goal in the presentation of the festival.

 

I will probably never go to the back again but I surely hope that I will be in the front for a long time.

 

Stay safe and until next week “Now You Have Heard It Through The Grapevine.”

 

Editor's Note: Top photo by Tyler Vincent Hart of Fortitude Productions.