Be-ne-dic-to !!!!

Today was a day I will never forget. All six Christies ventured into New York to see the Holy Father, Pope Benedict XVI.  It was a beautiful memory, one that I would never trade. We were quite fortunate to even get tickets in the first place and then to be able to go together as a family was just awesome.  The girls did great, even better than we expected.  We took the train from South Norwalk down to 125th Street and then hopped on the subway which took us right to Yankee Stadium. 

As we arrived at our subway stop, we could see the massive lines of people outside the stadium. We gulped, wondering if we were in for a long day. But we met lots of great people in line, even bumped into some of our home-schooling teenaged friends, some priest friends and we kept ourselves occupied text messaging other friends who were also there somewhere! When we got to our seats, we were thrilled because we were seated right in front of the altar (in the nose bleed section, but still!) The view was great. We felt the excitement of the crowd and sensed an overwhelming unity with all those around us.  

Nick is a seasoned pilgrim of Papal visits to the U.S.A. but this was my first experience and I just soaked it all in, feeling such gratitude for being able to witness such an historic event.

The thousands of hispanics behind us in the stands began a joyful string of chants.  "Be-ne-dic-to" (beh-neh-dee-to)  they shouted while pounding on the congo drums. We all joined them in their contagious song and the momentum grew as well as the sound, echoing throughout the stadium. Gold and white handkerchiefs were waving all around us and I started to cry. It was a great moment for us to watch our girls see with their own eyes the majesty and vastness of the Church at large.  It was unbelievable to observe thousands of cheering pilgrims become silent as soon as the mass began, reflecting such a spirit of reverence and respect for the mass.

When we left the stadium, we were approached by NBC newscasters who asked to interview us. We were all pretty speechless and camera shy, so I guess they kept on interviewing until they found something worthy of the 6-o'clock news. I wish I had remembered to point to Caroline's pink Redsox hat that sported the classic "B" on the front. We added a makeshift "16" beside it just for the occasion (and to protect ourselves against any potentially hostile Yankee fans!) 

Pope Benedict is gentle, yet strong.  He knows who he is and Whose he is.  As the t-shirt on the woman in front of us said, so too will I say, "I love my German Shepherd!"

 

Shmoo McGoo

Where does the time go?  Miss Shmoo-McGoo, formerly referred to "Muffin Top", is eleven months old already.  (sniffle sniffle) Didn't I just deliver her last week? It's so true that time goes by faster and faster with each passing year. I would also say that it goes by equally faster with each child. It's so hard to remember those day to day experiences from even a few years back. Hence, this blog...my attempt to preserve the little memories that I, myself, am forgetting as soon as they become a part of the past. I can't remember the sound of my own children's voices from earlier years. I can't even seem to remember what we did last week!

Take Shmoo-McGoo, for instance.  I took this picture of her in the tub just two months ago. This evening as I looked through my pictures, I thought, "Gee, what was that little bandage doing on her arm?"  How could I have forgotten so quickly?  I started to rack my brain, and that's when my "Dream Team" quickly stepped up to the plate. (The big girls remember EVERYTHING whether you want them to or not - especially when you don't want them to, I should say!) Let's just put it this way.  A. Did she bite herself? B. Did her sisters scratch her? C. Did she get her first bug bite? or D. Did her mother scald her milky skin with a hot cup of joe? (Answer:  D)

Should I be so flippant as to advertise my parental neglegence with a multiple choice quiz? Perhaps not, but the white bandage on that sweet little arm reminds me of how quickly the body heals but even more importantly, just how quickly a little child can bounce back from their daily trials, replacing their tears with big smiles in what seems like a few minutes. A lesson for us big, sophisticated folks. The most meaningful memory isn't about the bandage or the bathtub, but rather, that happy little heart that reminds me of God's purity and His everlasting joy.