Touched by an Angel

On Saturday nite, Loraine and I and all those in attendance at Nancy and Gary Rinehart’s daughter’s wedding were touched by an angel . . . Tisha Rinehart

Earlier in the day, I selfishly asked Loraine why am I going to this wedding . . . I have never met Nancy’s daughter.

Less than a minute into the evening, I knew why . . . all of us in attendance experienced a wonderful, spiritual event. One that will stay with us for life.

We all entered the evening on the belief that Nancy’s daughter was suffering from an inner ear infection but that Tish, Mark (her husband to be) and the family all elected to move forward with the wedding dispite the medical concerns and her instability.

The minister made lite of the issue and comforted and prepared all of us in attendance for the daunting stare and instability of Tish during the ceremony.

Dispite the preparation, all of us new the night was different, sensitive and very special as it unveiled itself as an example of the families love for Tish Rinehart.

It was also apparent that Gary and Nancy worked for months repainting the church and preparing every single detail to the ultimate degree for their daughter’s wedding. It was noticeable from the moment you arrived to the moment you left the church.

The music was special. The people singing were special and proud to have been selected to perform. The flowers were in full bloom and all was perfect for a special ceremony of life and love.

There was no feeling or discussion other than amazement at how perfect the setting was for the wonderful celebration of life for this beautiful couple.

As the evening went on, we all grew accustomed to Tish’s daunting stare but accepted it as her strength and the families strength in overcoming the obstacles of an inner ear infection.

As the evening drew to a close, the experience, the music selected, Tish, Mark and the family all blended into a wonderful yet surreal experience for all involved. So much so that it was a source of discussion for all of us before, during and after the wedding. We all left thinking a much higher being planned this evening and event for all in attendance.

Today, we have learned that Tish was, indeed, an angel and that she was delivering a message to those present. She passed away today from an apparent brain tumor that went undetected.

Those of us who experienced this wedding, the apparent events and preparation leading up to the wedding, the love and sharing of feelings. . . we all felt a part of something very special, mystical and deliberate.

This weekend, Tish married the love of her hife. She danced with her daddy to “Butterfly Kisses” and we all experienced the tears of joy between both of them imagining the fond memories they were feeling. We watched her mother be the proud and strong mother supporting her daughter’s next step in life.

Just as important as these wonderful feelings of focus and joy to her family and friends of her life. . . Tish sent a very special message in a very special way to all she touched that Saturday night about how important family and love really are.

This set the stage to thank all of us for love and life in only the way an angel can and all of us in attendance were deeply moved and satisfied in our own ways. We were clearly“Touched by an Angel”.


Thank you, Tish

Bob Dyson