Whole self in

Giving the gift of an experience is a long-standing tradition in our family. So I wasn't terribly surprised when I read my mother's e-mail the other day. Her birthday was approaching and she asked that we celebrate by granting her only birthday wish--to attend a church service at St. Joseph's. Although my mom goes to church regularly, we usually only join her on Christmas Eve. One year, when Lucy was about three, we went to St. Joe's children's service and sat in the front row. All the little angels and wise men and shepherds and sheep traipsed down the aisle to perform the Nativity play. When Lucy spotted the children dressed as black-and-white cows, she got so excited. Turning to me, she announced, "Look, Mom, here come the Dalmatians!" I laughed, and we enjoyed a magical night at church.

But this time, it was just a regular week, and going to church felt more like doing a good deed. Although I find something meaningful in most religions, I have never felt compelled to believe in any one story. And I'll admit, sometimes I can even get a little cynical about organized religion. But today, we were there for my mom, and I decided to be open to whatever this experience would be.

When we entered the soaring and hushed space of St. Joe's, someone was playing a guitar. Then a violin. We sat and stood and sang and sat again. Lucy made eyes at me. The ones that say, "Since I am being soooo good, can I please have a piece of gum?" I gave her the green light and then Deacon Steve began his homily. "Has anyone ever seen the bumper sticker, 'What if the Hokey Pokey really IS what it's all about?'" (This was NOT what I was expecting.) A classic church chuckle filled the air. Deacon Steve proceeded to use the Hokey Pokey as a metaphor. He physically demonstrated his favorite verse—the one about putting our whole selves in. This folksy and amiable man went on about the virtues of "putting our whole selves" into our relationships, our parenting, our work, and our faith. He encouraged us to be mindful and stay in the present. It was a simple but poignant message. And for me, it was a gentle reminder that maybe I should leave my skepticism by the door more often. Maybe that's what this day was all about.

Rosemary