This morning, I got up early and attended Mass by myself. As much as I like going to Mass en masse, I also like to go alone now and then — a distraction-free 60 minutes with Jesus can be a very good thing for a mom.
When I told Dan I would be going to a parish that is 30 minutes away, he said, “Are you sure you wouldn’t rather go to [parish that is only 10 minutes away but is not exactly a 'spiritual home' for us, if you know what I mean]?”
I told him the quiet 30 minute drive there and back was part of what I needed. But I don’t expect a dad to understand that.
And I guess I don’t expect a 4-year-old to get it either.
When I arrived home and Raphael noted his father and brothers preparing for a later Mass, he turned to me and asked, “Do l have to go to church today?”
“You can stay here with me if you want.”
The boy breathed an enormous sigh of relief as he sank into a chair.
“Oh, I am weally glad about that! Oh that is weally good!” he beamed.
But then quickly remembered himself.
“Uh … I mean that’s okay with me,” he added quickly before running off to play.
