First Communion and First Suit

 Doesn't it look like we are preparing for a passport photo?  But his passport is still up to date.  I think it's valid for a few more years yet.  The photo shows how clean the house is.  Friday and Saturday were major get on your knees and spray cleaner and wipe off the dust, crumbs and sticky floor.
All for just one of the big days Kieran will experience.  Somehow I don't recall my first Communion being this much of a fuss. But then again. They didn't have the Mandarin Buffet yet.

We were getting dressed to go to Kieran's first Communion.

We both had dress codes imposed on us.  He had the purple shirt and I had the pink one.
He wasn't too happy to be wearing a suit, let alone a colourful shirt and tie.  He doesn't know it yet or appreciate it, but he's dressed pretty sharp.
The Euro taste of mama for the both of us, that he is taking for granted.
I looked so good people were thinking I was going for first Communion too.  But that was many moons ago.

I then told him that after today, he is done for classes on Sunday mornings.  His 7 days a week of school was coming to an end (at least for another 4 years when he goes for Confirmation).

After this bit of info, he had a jump in his step and broke into a dance like he was buying a new Toyota and finally I got a smile out of him.  He's been a trooper.  He goes with no complaints.  He enjoys going to mass and learning.  He's rekindled my enthusiasm for the sacrament of mass and appreciation for all things related to the church.

For years we are immersed in careers and the workforce and the day to day.  To what end?  For something better.  The church also offers us a way for something better.  Better for our own souls. A vehicle for enabling us to help one another and ourselves.  To be kind to each other and ourselves.  To give to each other and ourselves.

I may not have sat through his classes, but every time I picked him up I paid more and more attention to the surroundings, the activities, the people and actions.  It made me realize I shouldn't sweat the small stuff.  Keep focused on the big picture.  Whatever that means?  For me I think it means don't stress over little things.  But maintain your goal in life. 

God won't make you win the lottery, but He can help you see the riches right in front of you.  What more could you want?  Will having more material things make life that much better?  Or does it create a vicious cycle?

We've been lucky to have a great family and fantastic friends, that are really extension of our families.  That aren't just for hanging out with, but for helping out.  It's resulted in a special network that we don't take for granted.



There's always more stuff you can get, but all it means is more to clean up after.  More baggage to carry that can weigh you down for a long time.

After the ceremony, I was pretty hungry, I wasn't starving but my appetite was sure there.  It was close to 1pm and we'd been at the church since 9:50am for individual and group photos and more last minute rehearsals.  The kids all look lost, but when it came time, they got it right.  They don't sweat the small stuff.  It is so cool.  I'm not sure what happens as we became adults.  I blame 90210.  One thing is for sure.  TV is not real life.

We had an incredible meal at Sagra, just two blocks west.  It was so convenient.  It was meant to be. Tresa noticed this place driving along Annette from the church one day.  The place isn't even open yet, but was available for private bookings. There was a phone number on the window and she called.  Timing was perfect. It's an Italian place with a wood burning pizza oven where they cooked practically everything. It was so good.  The service was amazing.  And we were lucky to have arranged it.

We were lucky too for the weather.  It's dumping right now and tomorrow forecast is for rain.  But today... the weather was just right.  Everything just worked out.  There was a lot of 'small stuff' that had to get sorted out, but whatever small stuff there was today, I didn't notice.  It was a great day.  It just felt great.

First Communion + Sagra pics