“You gonna wipe that off?” David asked before we went to the YMCA tonight.
I giggled. “No…we keep it on all day,” I replied.
He was referring to the smudge of ashes upon my forehead. (It’s Ash Wednesday, and I’m a lapsed Catholic trying to get back to the Church.)
I guess to those who aren’t Catholic, my religion seems like some sort of voodoo paradise. Incense, statues, smearing burnt palm ashes on one’s forehead. But to me it’s just another day. Ash Wednesday is the one day you can definately tell who’s Catholic. Yes, I do notice your eyes creeping up to my forehead when you’re talking to me. It’s ok…I’m used to it. And yes, when we see other smudges, we smile knowingly at the bearers.
I made the 4:30 mass at St. Andrew’s — which happened to be the Religious Education (formerly called CCD) Ash Wednesday Mass. So basically I was the oldest one there without kids. Ash Wednesday is a somber day, and many of the hymns were the ones used at MomMom’s funeral, which added another touch of sadness.
Now, what does Lent mean as far as I’m concerned?
- Today, and every Friday until Easter is meatless. I usually screw this up somehow.
- Sunday Masses. Dunno what time that’ll be yet.
- I’m going to go to Confession for the first time in over 3 years. I’ll be sure to enter my list into my Palm Pilot. You think 8 MB of memory’s enough? We are talking three years worth of sinning here. 🙂
- Chocolate is my Lenten sacrifice. It should be challenging, since I do partake of chocolate milk and chocolate cookies.
- Another gallant attempt to be a kind and understanding person.
My job is becoming extremely frustrating. I honestly think I’m burning out, and I don’t know what to do about it. I’m a cut-n-paste monkey. I don’t create content — I just alter others’ content. I’m stagnant.
By the way, I weighed in this morning at 140.0…which I think is the lowest I’ve weighed since Operation Chrysalis began.
NOW, dears…I’ll wipe off the smudge and go to bed.
