His Moment
There are special moments in your life that you cherish.  These moments are often ones that you hope you’ll be able to share with your children.   One of these moments for me has to be my baptism.  I grew up Episcopalian and was baptized at St. Matthew’s Episcopal Church in 1976 at the ripe age of six months.  I don’t remember a single thing about the ceremony.  I have never seen a photo from it.  However, I do know that important words were said by the congregants that were present during the service.  They were asked, “Will you who witness these vows do all in your power to support these persons in their life in Christ?” And their response was, “WE WILL.”

It wasn’t until years later, decades later, that I would realize the value of these words.  Because my mother sang in the choir, I rarely sat with her in church.  Instead, various members would let me sit with them.  I can still point out specific pews I sat at various ages with various people.  I was always excited, though, every Sunday to join my mother at the communion rail.  My church watched me grow.  My church supported me.  Even after my mother’s death, my church family was there for me.  When they said “We Will” in 1976, they took it to heart.

Fast forward ahead to 2012.  After the birth of Maximus, one of the things I looked most forward to during his first year was his baptism.  I was excited for the community that helped to raise me do the same thing for my son.  Although my mother could not be there, I was now able to bring my own family (husband included) to the alter and have the congregation repeat those same words.  That day came on Sunday, September 23. Maximus, at the ripe age of 3 1/2 months, was baptized in the same spot as myself.  Not only was he surrounded by my church family. He was surrounded by our new family and friends.  

I’ve written several times about Mr. Fred S.  He’s a 90 year old man at our church that came to the hospital the day I was born.  Ever since then, he kisses me on the cheek every Sunday.  Every Sunday.  When Maximus was born, I was excited for him to kiss Maximus. And he did – from a nursing home.  When I called to tell him about Maximus’ baptism, it unfortunately was the day after his wife of 64 years passed away.  He said he wouldn’t be able to attend the baptism because he wife’s wake was later that day.  Well…. don’t you know, right before the service started, in wheeled (with his walker) Mr. Fred S into church to watch Maximus get baptized.  That’s when I realized how powerful of a moment it was going to be. And, as soon as the service was over, Maximus and I headed over to Mr. S and had the most blessed kisses to date! Some of our most simplest moments can be the most powerful. Cherish them