A little girl in a yellow dress sits on a cafeteria chair. Her snow boots are swinging slightly and her head is bent studiously over her notebook as one long lock of hair escapes from her ponytail scrunchie and comes to rest lightly on the white page.
Her momma stands nearby thinking, “My heart is melting!”
My daughter Cate had her First Confession interview last night. She was nervous but—dare I hope it?—ready as she prepared to answer such questions as:
These moments with our children as they make ready to receive new grace are just amazing to me. These moments represent everything that is beautiful, hopeful and poignant, and they sustain me when I’m down. God is working in the soul of my 7-year-old, and I get to be a part of it! I never know what to expect but I am never disappointed.
Yesterday afternoon, for example, Cate sensed that all was not right with her momma’s world. She is at present the only one of my children who’s so perceptive—she can see it in my face when I’m downhearted. “Mommy, are you sad today?” she asked out of the blue, and I’m thinking, “Sad? Not really. Overwhelmed, yes. Worn out, yes. Stressed to the max, yes.”
Okay, maybe I looked sad.
Cate disappeared for an hour and when she returned, she placed a thick envelope in my hands. On it was written: to mom from “Cate.” You should know how much I love you.
And also “I’m sorry I’m late but this is a [crismas] card.” (She is, after all, my daughter!)
Inside the envelope were three items:
- an original drawing of Mary talking to Jesus;
- a beautiful Christmas card that Cate had received from her catechism teacher; and
- a letter that read, in part, “I love you to the moon then to the sun then back.”
Yes, there are many things that are not right with the world (I’m thinking the Britney Spears tragedy is one great big example) but there are many, many things that are.
A little girl quietly preparing for a first sacrament is one such moment.
A little girl writing a love note to her momma is one, too.
Ad Jesum per Mariam,
PS. Cate did great at her interview! (as did all her colleagues). Please keep these little ones in your prayers.
So sweet she is. These are the moments that melt mothers’ hearts and make all of our efforts and struggles seem so little in comparison to the rewards.
My Mariana will be making her first confession this spring, and I’m panicked now, wondering if she could define sanctifying grace. Better check on that.
Lots of prayers for Cate…and you!
So beautiful, Margaret, and such a special time of preparation.
She’s so sweet. And yes, like Diane, I’m starting to wonder how prepared we are for such things.
The definition of sanctifying grace is easier than you think, at least on a 2nd Grade level. It’s: God’s life in our souls.
Such a little definition, but such a great and amazing grace!
Just beautiful. She sounds like the sweetest little angel! Enjoy your journey together as she prepares for this precious sacrament!
It is a beautiful gift to prepare these precious souls to receive the sacraments. A beautiful gift!
That’s so sweet and precious! You need a tissue alert at the beginning of the post. Praying for your little one!
sweet.
B*E*A*U*T*I*F*U*L!!!!!
You are blessed to have a sensitive and perceptive little soul in your home. It’s just what a mommy needs sometimes.
My little {m} is making her first reconciliation in a little over a week. YES, a special time.
What a special keepsake she made for you. How blessed you are to have this blog for us and for yourself and for her someday to treasure her memories and yours!
My Nicholas made his first Confession right before Christmas. It was such a special day, we dressed up and went out for Chinese afterward. immediately after he came back to the pew and after his penance, he whispered “Mommy, I feel SO good inside! I can’t wait to go again!” Wow, the innocence, I just want to keep them this way forever!
Such a contrast to the world around us! Thank you for such a beautiful post. Why are people so happy to see such sadness in Britney’s life? So sad.
I’m saying a prayer for you, Margaret. I can totally relate to the overwhelmed and exhausted feelings you were describing!
What a beautiful soul your daughter is. God made her that way just for you! And for other wonderful purposes in His Plan too. 🙂
That is purely precious! Those perceptive ones are very special to us mothers.
What a sweetie! My son’s retreat was this past Saturday, his big day is this coming Saturday.