Not sure what type of friends y'all are and how y'all talk to each other but if that was my bestfriend, I would've asked her immediately why I'm not the maid of honor. She would've been expecting that question from me, probably would've explained from the beginning why. I think you should ask her to have lunch so yall can discuss her upcoming wedding.
When you get to the restaurant, have your little small talk as usual then when it's silent for a second say "So...Jessica, why am I not the maid of honor?" give a sweet sly smile when you say it. Tell her that you understand she has other friends and you'll do it because you care about her but that your feelings are a little hurt. But that you understand and your not MAD at her, your feelings are just hurt and shes gonna have to make it up.
Make sure you're smiling when needed so it won't get too depressing. You want her to know that your feelings are hurt but that you're not MAD at her. I do think that you should go ahead and let her do this in your backyard because she is your bestfriend and I don't think she is trying to hurt your feelings by not having you as the maid of honor.
You have to keep in mind she has other friends and it may have been a difficult decision for her. It doesn't mean that y'all aren't friends it just means the maid of honor is a little closer to her than you. So to sum the plan up: 1) Invite her to lunch to discuss the wedding 2) ask why you're not the maid ofhonor 3) tell her that your feelings are a little hurt but that you'll do it and you're not mad at her 4) follow through with the reception.
I cant really gove you an answer,but what I can give you is a way to a solution, that is you have to find the anglde that you relate to or peaks your interest. A good paper is one that people get drawn into because it reaches them ln some way.As for me WW11 to me, I think of the holocaust and the effect it had on the survivors, their families and those who stood by and did nothing until it was too late.