A New Family

My oldest son was Confirmed today at our Church. He really did not want to go through the process from the beginning, but as “good” parents, we have always tried to expose the boys to all we can. One never knows where one’s “calling” may be. His biggest problem – not Church related – the other kids. We do not live in the same town where we attend Church. All the kids would get together & talk about this teacher, that class, that event in that town so on & so forth & unfortunately my son could not really relate to any of those things. Hence, boring! I can see his point, yet he still went, did all homework, wrote all papers, went on trip to LA to work for Habit For Humanity for a week. OMG…you’d think I’d sentenced him to prison for the week. He so did not want to go. “My Spring Break spent with a bunch of kids I don’t know very well who are going to talk about hometown issues & I can’t spend the week with any of MY friends!” Ooooo…the daggers I received the morning of the flight! I had already told him, you have to go at least once, if you really hate it, I won’t force you to go your Junior year – they go every other year. I have never worried about this son going away without us. He is a pretty responsible kid, knows right from wrong – well most of the time J - can carry on conversations with others knowing them well or not. But boy, this time I was quite concerned because he was so mad! He was always in my mind while I was attending BABE. Well, to make a long story short, he had a great time & can’t wait to go back his Junior year. Oh and surprise, the classes after the trip were far different! He was more comfortable with his Confirmation Classmates. *wiping sweat from my brow & patting self – for sticking to my guns - & the adult chaperones – for steering conversations away from school & home town doings while in LA - from trip, on the back*

Well, in order to be “Confirmed”, the kids must write 4 Credo papers. I read them, was appalled & told “Confrimand To Be” so. “You’d better not be handing that kind of stuff in at school” – misspellings, lack of punctuation, etc. “You really did not pull your answer together with good examples.” *pointing finger, shaking head, stomping feet, Blah, blah, blah.* Finally he said…”Mom, it’s my paper, leave it alone!” Well, with that being said, he was right & I did have to grant his wish as that is how I have tried to bring him up. So I left it as it was –well not exactly – so I changed the word “weather” to “whether” without him knowing – I just couldn’t help my self!
Today 2 of the Elders that read his papers thought they were something else. They both waited to read his papers last. And one said, he could truly see my son’s true self & was very touched by what he said about family & relating that to the Church family. The other thought he was quite strong in his opinions & she understood exactly what he was getting at. Did they read the same papers I did? Ummmm… I guess I need to go back & reread them with different eyes tomorrow or maybe later tonight.

Time for the Homily during service. This one started out about The Peanuts Gang. Lucy & Charlie Brown were out on the deck & talking about deck chairs. Lucy asked Charlie Brown how he likes to place his deck chair because everyone is different in that regard. Some place it facing so they are looking to where they have been, some place it facing where they are now & some place it looking forward. Well, Charlie Brown answers, “Lucy, I can’t even get my deck chair open!”
Now, years ago, Doug (Minister), used this example in a Homily. It so touched me, I actually sat down and penned him a letter. (I have penned him only one other time – when Timothy McVeigh was put to death & he read the letter to the entire congregation…what! Me just a stay-at-home middle class mom & you’re reading my letter aloud to a whole bunch of UPPER Class families…Holy Moly!)
Anyway, I digress…In my letter, I told Doug, that I, too, am having trouble getting my dang Deck Chair open, of course, at that time I had 3 boys under the age of 5. Some days were just overwhelming, but I always got through the day & was able to get through many more…mostly thanks to a most understanding loving husband & the inspiring homilies & music at Church each week. When the Doug began the Homily today, I was thrilled!! I knew exactly where he was going & couldn’t be happier for all the Confirmands, knowing they would get oh so much out of it! Then, it hit me, did Doug remember the letter I sent him years ago? Was this just a coincidence? One will never know. Then Doug mentions, the book “Watership Down” which is about a COMMUNITY of bunnies, for those who have never read the book – a great read, I recommend to all to read this at some point during your life time. The name of our Church is Upper Ridgewood COMMUNITY Church, (our Church is located at the top of a hill). & YIKES…I just finished this book last summer!! *Cue Twilight Zone music*
So I asked the newest member of our Church - in our family - what he thought of the Homily today. He said what do you mean? I said could you relate to it? He said, yes especially regarding the Deck Chair. I then told him I had written to Doug years ago regarding that subject. He said “Really? What did you say?” I told him. His response “ I KNOW where my Deck chair will be placed…looking forward, but gosh, Mom, I can seem to get it opened only half way, cause I can’t follow all of the directions!” How much do I love that kid?! “Son, that’s great! ‘Cause that is exactly where you should be at this very moment in time!”

Oh…just in case you’re interested…I finally have my Deck Chair open…sheeez; lots of hard work…..I just place it different directions these days depending on my mood. J

How about you all? Still trying to get that Deck Chair open or trying to place it? Whichever the case may be…please know that you are loved, for whatever or wherever you may be right now at this time & place, forever.

May God Bless…