A post about religion
This weekend will be baby Hester's first time in church. I struggle a lot with my own thoughts and feelings about organized religion, but I want to give my daughter a religious base from which to explore when she's older. Hypocrite much? Maybe, maybe not.
I'm not a person of faith. Well, not until Hester arrived, anyway, when there suddenly came upon me a very clear understanding that everything in my life has happened so that I can be the parent of this child. God, fate, karma, destiny, grace, whatever--I'm not choosy about the term. It sounds cliche, but it's true: Something clicked when I saw Hester's face emerge from Ariana's birth canal. It would feel wrong if I didn't acknowledge and celebrate that.
Besides, Petunia is a person of faith; when she goes to church, she means it. She doesn't go for the cultural connection to her heritage, which I why I like going. She feels strongly that Hester should have a faith that's real and complete, like she does. So there's that, too. It's a v. compelling reason for wanting to take Hester to church.
So we're going to church on Easter Sunday. And we'll go again after this weekend, too. Now that Hester's old enough to sit through mass without squalling and we're seasoned enough mamas that we won't freak out if she loses her lunch on the hymnal, there's no excuse to stay home. Our church is an hour away, which is somewhat problematic, but we haven't yet found one nearby. And besides, we were married in that church (well, "joined in holy union"--the legal marriage was at city hall), so it has special significance for us.
We'll see what happens in the long-term. Last night I read Hester a book about God and didn't feel strange about it at all. That's a good start, right?
To those who celebrate it, happy Easter.
I'm not a person of faith. Well, not until Hester arrived, anyway, when there suddenly came upon me a very clear understanding that everything in my life has happened so that I can be the parent of this child. God, fate, karma, destiny, grace, whatever--I'm not choosy about the term. It sounds cliche, but it's true: Something clicked when I saw Hester's face emerge from Ariana's birth canal. It would feel wrong if I didn't acknowledge and celebrate that.
Besides, Petunia is a person of faith; when she goes to church, she means it. She doesn't go for the cultural connection to her heritage, which I why I like going. She feels strongly that Hester should have a faith that's real and complete, like she does. So there's that, too. It's a v. compelling reason for wanting to take Hester to church.
So we're going to church on Easter Sunday. And we'll go again after this weekend, too. Now that Hester's old enough to sit through mass without squalling and we're seasoned enough mamas that we won't freak out if she loses her lunch on the hymnal, there's no excuse to stay home. Our church is an hour away, which is somewhat problematic, but we haven't yet found one nearby. And besides, we were married in that church (well, "joined in holy union"--the legal marriage was at city hall), so it has special significance for us.
We'll see what happens in the long-term. Last night I read Hester a book about God and didn't feel strange about it at all. That's a good start, right?
To those who celebrate it, happy Easter.
Labels: Hester Willa, Mamaville
posted by Clementine at 1:58 PM
4 Comments:
I'm all f'd up about religion myself but I'm glad you like Old Turtle because I love that book.
It was from your fabulous mom!
Sweetie, I totally don't think you're a hypocrite. In fact, I have a lot of respect for the way you described what you want, and I'm sure you will both give Hester plenty of information and support and room to make her own choices and to respect other people's as well.
Happy Easter back at ya. Could somebody on a certain Easter card be any cuter??
xo
Oh hi, I know about the easter card! It's on our fridge of course! SO CUTE.
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