Sense of Wonder

-
On Sunday we visited a different church as Mass was said for Uncle Jim. It's a very nice church with the seats sort of in the round so you get a true sense of community. The place is well-lit, the sound from the altar is good, and the choir was in fine form.

A young girl was seated a couple of rows ahead of us. The kid couldn't have been more than two.

"Can you imagine having a kid that age?" I whispered.

"She's so cute," Kathy said.

I've always rather enjoyed the community of it all.

My beautiful wife, on the other hand, is of less of a mind to look around in a sense of wonder. Her A.D.D. seems to kick in a bit.

"They changed the words," she whispered.

The old automatic responses didn't work to some of the prayers.

"Two years ago," I whispered back.

We traded glances with our aunts and cousins. Smiles and nods and near-tears all around.

As the Our Father started I sort of grimaced as they changed it to song form for the Mass, but as I watched the choir I spotted a man about ten years older than me. He was in the back of the choir and his eyes were raised to the ceiling of the church. He was singing as though his entire soul needed to be saved. Eyes closed. Vein in his neck pumping.

A true sense of wonder.

And then out of the corner of my eye I looked at the young girl. Her left hand was locked with her Mom's hand. Her right hand was raised high with an open palm. During the closing of the prayer she got up on her tip-toes. She was saying the words.

Her sense of wonder just beginning.

And I spent the rest of the Mass sort of bouncing around from face-to-face.

The 90-year old guy, eyes closed. Praying hard for something.

The 65-year old guy, smiling at the woman beside him.

The 50-year-old woman in the choir, also singing as if talent scouts were watching her.

The 70-year-old priest telling us that God is good, and to give to the lawn fete.

Mass was over except for the public announcements.

I was in a state of wonder - from 2 years old to 90 years old.

All gathering in the Name of God.

Still gathering.

Searching for...

...comfort...

...strength...

...love...

...beauty...

"LET'S GO!" Kathy whispered after the priest threatened to bring up another guest speaker.

She was up and out the door.

I can't say that I didn't agree with her. It seemed that Mass had devolved into a public-service announcement at the end. The business side of it gets me down.

But the sense of wonder in the faces of those gathered.

Makes up for it.

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Suits

-
Like a lot of other people we got pulled into the series, ‘Suits’ on Netflix. I’ve never had much fun hanging around lawyers who have questioned me as a construction safety officer. I once testified in a case where the opposing lawyer started questioning me by going through my educational background. “So,” he said, racing to a crescendo, “You graduated from college with a degree in Communications-Journalism and suddenly, 30 years later, you’re a ‘safety expert.’” He actually made the quotation marks with his fingers. I just looked at him. “How does that happen?” He bellowed, sure that he was going to discredit me. “Well,” I said. “I knew I was overqualified to become a lawyer.” The courtroom erupted in laughter. Even the judge chuckled. The rest of his questions landed flat. So, I wasn’t all that keen on a show about lawyers, but ‘Suits’ is great. Meghan Markle became a princess because of the show, and she is very good in it (and a beautiful woman). Yet, there is so much more. The wri
Read more

My Buddy, Dave

-
Way back in 1997, I started working with a steel erection company out of Syracuse. I was coming straight from a long stint with a steel erector here in Buffalo so I knew my stuff when it came to steel erection safety rules. On day one, I met with the safety director and he was just getting started as a safety guy, but man, he certainly cared about the guys he worked with. Dave was a good man from the start. He’d say things like: “You’re so full of beans.” Just a down to earth, hardworking guy who became a fast friend. We drove all around New York State setting up jobs. I always let Dave drive so that I could rest. One fine day, way up North of Syracuse, we passed a state trooper.  I glanced at the speedometer. “You’re screwed,” I said, and seconds later, the lights came on. Dave was beside himself.  The cop stopped by the window, grabbed the license and registration and headed back to his vehicle. “Here’s the thing,” I said. “You’re pissed, but you’re such a good guy that I bet you tha
Read more

Mom & Ollie

-
Image
 Ollie Stadium is a mess. The heavy rains rendered the backyard a mud pit and even though we threw in the side yard, the Big O was looking for more, and we were both covered in mud. I had to take some steam out of him somehow so I suggested we go visit Grandma. Ollie hates the car, but he laid quietly as we made the trip. We even brought the football because there is plenty of room to play at Grandma’s. Mom opened the door and started laughing. I thought about the love she had for every single dog we ever had. Oliver was quick to give my Mom a kiss, and then he stood beside her. The love between Mom and Dogs is a mutual bond. Through the years, Mom would make breakfast for the dogs.  Fried eggs, toast, bacon… She would wrap Christmas gifts for them. “To Jeter, Love Santa,” she would write on the cards. They played with the big chicken that made a lot of noise. Mom tossed the football and Ollie brought it back to her. As the visit drew to a close I headed for the door.  “C’mon, Oliver,”
Read more