As I left the office on Friday afternnon I was thinking what a tough weekend. I knew that several liturgical responsibilities were awaiting me but I also wanted to make sure my wife would have a nice Mother's Day. I assumed whatever remaining time would be spent cutting grass; a never ending activity of my April - October experience.
So Friday night started just as I expected. My first duty was to close the day long Adoration at my parish by presiding and leading Benediction. When I arrived at Church one of the ladies asked me if I would consider also leading the assembled in a Chaplet of Divine Mercy. Given the proximity to that great feast I said sure. Then we proceeded with Benediction. By the time I arrived home it was nearly 9 o'clock; time for a quick bite and off to bed. Simple enough.
Saturday brought 1st Holy Communion at the parish and I made sure to be present and assist at the Mass. These special celebrations are not only important for the life of a parish but very important for the new kid on the block, that would be me, so there I was. It was a little different as normally I would know all the kids by name and be familiar with most of the families. While not quite the case this year I was very pleased that I assisted at this celebration. And then let the strange begin. When I arrived at the house I was remarkably tired and there just happened to be one of those Star War's all day things going. Not just Star Wars, the three with Natalie Portman. Done! Despite my best hope for a day outside, it never happened.
That evening I went outside, just like I've done most evenings for 10 years or so to retrieve our trusty "Spur"; an Australian Shepherd we have owned since he was about 5-6 months old. Usually all he needs is to hear me coming. Rarely do I have to call him but never do I reach the gate of his huge outdoor kennel and I don't see him. Tonight would be different. Unexpectedly and without warning, he was in the back of the kennel, laying peacefully and very much dead. Poor fella; I guess it was just his time. Living out here in the woods, the best thing to do is bury the pets yourself. Here I am, with wife and daughter alongside, digging his last resting place. After this event it was hard to get to sleep.
I awoke on this Mother's Day very tired but determined to make it a great day. Through a conversation with my daughter, my wife let it be known that nothing but boiled cawfish with all the extras would be her Mother's Day meal. Here is the catch, all the big seafood stores wanted the orders picked up before 11 a.m. and I have masses and a baptism. So I worked my schedule to perfection; picked up a huge helping of boiled crawfish, steaming hot and wrapped up to retain the heat as I drove off, loaded with the crawfish, back to church to assist at Mass, baptize a new little Christian and get those crustaceans to the dining room table ahead of the mrs. Mission accomplished! The Mass was great, the Baptism went off without a hitch and we enjoyed crawfish with all the extras to we could eat no more. And in the middle of the meal, the phone company showed up to fix my phone and internet. So as Wendy enjoys a Mother's Day nap I'm happily blogging away!
Oh yea, no grass cut yet this weekend but we still have the afternoon and evening. There's always hope!
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