On Sunday, I took Leo to church with me. I packed a cloth bag with 2 fruit snacks, a blank book, crayons, pens, and 2 Dum Dums. I was ready to entertain a bored 5 year old.
I sing in the choir. We sing from a loft. We are a small group that makes a joyful noise. We practice for an hour before the service. During practice, Leo drew, colored, and watched the organist play. When we took a break, he said, “That took forever.”
When the service began, I was prepared for him to want to go home, but he didn’t whine at all. He told me he wanted to watch from the stairs.
Our church is an old Episcopal church founded in the 1850’s. My husband’s family arrived in Louisiana in the 1880’s and his great grandfather and great grandmother, George and Mary, were married in the church. This space is not only sacred, it is historic.
This was Leo’s first visit that he will remember. Amazing changes happen at all ages of early development, but the one I’ve noticed since Leo turned 5 is his curiosity and understanding of things, relationships, and perhaps the concept of “Jesus Loves Me” that I read to him from the box of crayons.
He said, “There are 3 S’s.”
After the service, we went into the parish hall for treats and juice. Friends were greeting us, saying hello to Leo, admiring his good behavior and his curly hair.
As I was buckling him into his car seat to head home, he asked me, “How do you know all those people?”
I answered, “I’ve been going to this church for 41 years.”
He said, “That means you’re old.”
Reflections on the Teche 
Very Cute! yes my grandson has proclaim that I am old as well. But he still wants me to race him to the park. He always wins. It use to be I let him – now this old lady can’t keep up but is so fun to try! Enjoy this little one!
Margaret, what a special day. I like how you say it’s the first time you’ve taken him to church that he will likely remember. So many events he’ll remember are in your future. I love that. It sounds like a great day for him to remember, and I love the last comment he says that you record here.
I loved learning about your husband’s family’s time spend in Louisiana! And now you enjoyed sharing this place with your grandson. How special, even if he thinks you are so old!! Kids definitely say the darndest things!
Margaret, that last line is precious. I also get that comment on being old. Of course, I respond with a No because I don’t believe in that world “Old”.
I have a story about church that might make it to a slice. My little wild one (grand #2) made a huge fuss in church – life goes on.
Leo is a wonderful little boy-enjoy him!