This is the sixth time we have buttoned up a little man for his First Communion Day. This year was Brendan's year and he has so looked forward to this day.  

He was so sincere throughout the mass.  Father gave a special homily in English for Brendan, who was so rapt with attention he was nodding yes throughout the whole thing.  Father doesn't do an English sermon very often.  He took it from The Sermons of St. John Vianney. (which is now in my Amazon shopping cart!)  I know this because he showed me his copy of the book afterwards with all the notes and Brendan's name penciled in here and there.  Our boy is forever to be remembered when he thumbs through his volume and I can't tell you how that endeared me to the man.  

We took no pictures during the service.  As a priest once said, "It is a holy moment, not a Kodak moment."  But we made up for that after. <g>  We giggle when we look at the pictures now because dear Mr. Sherner (r) looks so stern.  But don't let that fool you.  It is like those old tintype pictures.  As soon as the camera fired he was all smiles!  In fact he swapped places with me and set up and took pictures of us.  Another of those cultural things we are just now understanding. 

The other parishioners were every bit as kind.  When all the pictures were done and we stepped outside there they all were.  All of them, waiting, with gifts and hearty handshakes for Brendan.  

Have I mentioned how much B enjoys journaling?  He just thinks it is so cool to write down whatever he is thinking about or telling what he has done.  He often just sits and doodles.  I found this page below and had to smile. Salvation history from a 7 year old's point of view.  So him.  Don't worry.  We've assured him all is well now.  "I know," he said, quite satisfied with the whole explanation.  

He still likes to make pictures and write about them.  I wonder where he gets that from….