In Every Job That Must Be Done, There is an Element of Fun(ny)

Emma and I went to Mass this morning, which is always both lovely and, well, a bit exhausting. She's just at that antsy, chatty age—daily Mass or the early Sunday Mass are about all she can handle. And even then, she's all over the place. But she loves it. Churches—even ugly exurban ones—really are houses of wonder for children. Incense, art, statues, candles. Especially candles. That's the best, except of course for the holy water fonts. Clearly. I mean, clearly.

So we're sitting in Mass in front of a friend, who's there with her two youngest and looking about as harried as I feel. Emma keeps turning around and exclaiming, "MARY CLAIRE! BABY ANN!" at them. Then saying a loud "HI" to whomever catches her eye. Then, "Candles? LIGHT THEM! See them? LIGHT THEM! Pop Pop. Walter!" So we did. Beneath the statue of St. Elizabeth Ann Seton, she yelled, "Hi Jesus!" I gently corrected her and told her who she was; then she shouted, "MARY SETON!" Close enough. 

All the way up to Communion, she reached out her little hands to people attempting to kneel in prayer, saying, "Peace WIF you! High five?" On the way back we pass Big Mary, the statue at the front of the church. She yells out in joy, "HI MARY!" I whisper, "Would you like to go see Big Mary after Mass?"  "OTAY!" she shrieks. She then calls out—again, during a moment of profound silence—"MARY! SEE YOU! LOVE YOU! MARY! MARY POPPINS!"

We're gonna need a little catechism. : ) I just can't help but believe God smiles down with extra mercy at all mothers with young children who get themselves to Mass. Because let me tell you...