Pax vobiscum

Well, you learn something new everyday. Today at church I learned about the "pax vobiscum," or "peace be with you." When Jesus appears to the disciples after Easter, he meets them in the locked room. He passes through the wall, according to the Word, and the first thing he says is "Peace be with you."
The liturgy has this, too. Our pastor posed the question about where this should be in the liturgy and why. Some said it should be at the beginning of the service, some said at the end, and mostly everyone agreed that having in its current place, in the middle of the service was a strange place for it. It's almost like a commercial break--a social time for people to get up, wander about, stretch and offer hands and hugs. I have to admit, it does seem like a strange place for exchanging greetings of peace.
Then pastor illuminated me. He pointed out that the moment we offer greetings is the moment after the eucharistic prayer in which Jesus joins us bodily in the service. How appropriate, then. The words of institution are spoken, Jesus is present in the sacrament, and we greet each other "Peace be with you," just like he did. I had never thought of it like that, but I understand, now. It gives the communion feast all the more importance and meaning to me.
I enjoy learning the "whys" about the liturgy--there are times when I don't know why we do what we do, but once I learn, it makes more sense. I think I get more out of it, too. Rather than just going through the motions, I get more presence of mind about being at church and with God.

Happy Birthday, Beav!

Today is your birthday, Beaver. You're such a big boy--wow! 5 years old! Mom and Dad can hardly believe that we have a 5-year old around again. You have had such a great year, being 4, and now that you're 5, it'll be another great year, too: full of fun, surprises, learning new things, some tears, and definite joy. I remember the day you were born so clearly, and yet can sometimes feel like those baby days are so short, they're almost foggy memories, now. But now you're a big boy, growing, laughing and learning everyday. Mom and Dad have truly been blessed by God, and he has loaned us such a precious gift in you. Happy Birthday, Beaver!

I really wonder about my kids. Much like the bit by Bill Cosby, sometimes the things they do are staggering in their stupidity. Don't get me wrong--I do love them dearly, but you just have to wonder sometimes what exactly let them to make the decision they've made.
When I was little there were a few things you just didn't do. One, was bother Mom and Dad during a perceived serious discussion. Another, don't go in Mom and Dad's bedroom, unless it was a bathroom emergency and there were no other bathrooms available. Still, at the top of the list, absolutely #1 on that list was don't wake Mom and Dad. No matter what. It didn't matter if you were really happy to see them, had a great joke, were bleeding out every oriface. Don't wake them up. In fact, I took this one so seriously, I woke my sister when I had a bad dream. I took myself to barf in the bathroom, knowing Mom would probably hear me wretch and eventually would come in the bathroom. But on Saturday mornings, the key was to slink downstairs, avoiding the creaky boards on the steps. Quietly, oh so quietly (rule #1) turn on the tv at the bottom volume, so you pretty much had to stop breathing in order to hear it. If you had to go to the bathroom, you went, but didn't flush until you heard someone else rustling around near Mom and Dad's room. That usually meant (rule #2) don't flush after 5 am until about 8 am. Do not, by any means, talk above a whisper (rule#3). If you're hungry, you have 2 options: wait, and just tough it out, or sneak in and get yourself some cereal. But that brings in another factor (rule #4)--don't make any noise in the kitchen, because why? Sound travels better on hard floors.
Now it seems my kids don't know any of these "rules of the house," and I'm not sure why. They've been threatened with every possible punishment. We've even carried some of these out. Either they're sheer geniouses, hell-bent in a very roundabout way, on my (and my husband's) loss of control or jump "over the edge of sanity," or they have no clue whatsoever.

Here's the litany of questions I fielded from Beaver the other morning in a 10 minute period.
Can you juggle?
Can you juggle one?
Can you juggle 3?
When are we going to my friend's?
How will we get there?
How far is the pet shop?
Is this the quickest way?
Do you really know that?
What is 800 miles?
Can we go 800 miles?
Will I like it?
What's (so-and so's) number?
Can you call?
When am I going to be 5?
What's a week?
What's a day?

And the award goes to.....

Buzz! He was selected to receive a "Glory of Missouri Award" given by the House of Representatives. He's one of 14 from the school to get it. Congrats, Buzz! We are so proud of you!

She's here!

Our new puppy, Sara is here! Sara Jane, in keeping with our S-J initials from the prior puppy. By the way, I call all puppies, "puppies" even if they are 14 years old. It just happens, though, that this little one is 6 months old. She couldn't be sweeter. I really hope this takes!

Words of Beaver

Was Noah Zark a real person?
--Who?
Noah. Noah Zark.
--Oh, Noah. Yes, he was real, but his last name isn't 'Zark.' He had a boat called an Ark. So they called it "Noah's Ark."