Deep thoughts during mass

Once again during Holy Mass I was daydreaming. I know...I'm going straight to hell. At least I wasn't thinking about what I was going to eat next! I do enjoy the music, and try to listen. I just have a little MAD. (Mass Attention Disorder) I've had it since childhood. I don't think I'm the only one.

We attended our usual Saturday evening Mass. During Father Pin's homily, as he attempted to get his point across, he told the story of a little boy in a sand box. That's what got me started daydreaming. But then somebody's phone started ringing. And unfortunately they didn't answer it. The caller was a persistent bugger! Finally Father said -" I'll wait for you to get that before I go on". He wasn't snotty about it, though he had a right to be, really. So there was a break and he went on...and it rang again! He said, "Check your purse!" Finally, thank God (or some higher being) it stopped.

So I started thinking fondly about our old sandbox - while listening a bit to the story Father told of the kid who found a giant rock in his sandbox and wasn't strong enough to get it out, even though he tried and tried. Finally his dad came out and said why didn't you use all your resources? The kid says, "I did." But the dad says - you didn't ask me! So - now I get it - the dad is God and I'm the kid....enter the way-back machine.

Oh how I loved my sandbox at our house in Atlantic. It was made of plywood and had little triangle seats in the corners. When I was really little, it was right next to our driveway. By the swing set. Later, I don't know why, we moved the swing set into the back yard and the sandbox farther back, just below the deck - at the top of the woods.

Every so often my parents would have a load of new sand delivered - that was when it was most fun - before the neighborhood cats had their way with it. We would make roads in it, and sometimes add water to really make it moldable. I bet Mom hated it when we trotted in the house with our clothes all full of the stuff - but I don't remember a thing about that.

And so it goes - I did get the point of the homily, and had my walk down memory lane too! Plus I turned my cell phone off before church.

Easter with the McFeesters

Paul and I were set to be alone for Easter Sunday. Mass at 7 a.m. followed by who knows what. Amy of course is settled in Denver and was invited, along with niece Jordan (and nephew Colby but I'm thinking he was busy) to the Lamm family brunch gathering. (Those are my peeps in Denver - Aunt Marty and family).

Jud decided to stay with girlfriend Kara - it's her birthday tomorrow. Since most students were going home for the weekend, the two of them ended up in Sioux Center with Kara's family for the holiday. He even mentioned going to church (gulp - he must realllly like her!).

That left us alone. I mentioned that to roomie Joan when we talked of our weekend plans Wednesday night, like we usually do each week. She said, "You might as well join us at Jeff and Bobbie's Sunday - we're having around thirty - what's two more?" I laughed.

Then Friday night, we dined with Jeff and Bobbie (Jeff is Joan's bro) at A&G's - catching up on the past couple weeks. Again I mentioned our lack of Easter plans and kindly, Bobbie made the same offer. What the heck - we kinda feel like cousins! Bobbie's family was attending (her mom and dad, 2 brothers, 1 wife and nephew all from a town south of Omaha) along with all the McFees - except for sis Carol and fam, who were entertaining at their house. We've spent some time with the McFee clan - good times - weddings and such. And bad - funerals.

McFee Easter dinner was very nice, and really made me nostalgic for the olden days when we used to have Easter dinner at George and Laura Goldsmith's home in Earlville. It was nice to be with people who love each other, visiting, laughing and sharing life. Food was good too - turkey, ham balls, taters, plus yummy salads. For desert red velvet cake and chocolate pie! I love buffets - eating a little bit of lots of things. Thanks to the McFees for their family event with us.

Earlier that day - 7 a.m. Mass at Holy Spirit was also nice. The sun was shining and the altar was beautiful. Jane McCann lead the songs with Janet Schulte playing the piano, doing many old favorite hymns. At the end of mass Fr. Pins handed out lil fuzzy bunnies to the children - who were shy about accepting them. I complain in this blog about the Catholic church. But events like Easter Mass are why I keep going back.