Sadly, after all that buildup, First Communion was anti-climactic. I did enjoy the gifts--I remember a beautiful silver rosary in a tiny silver case from Uncle Joe and Aunt Pauline, but I don't remember anything else from the event. I think Uncle Joe took movies in our back yard after church that were transferred onto VHS a few years ago, and now reside in our brand-new storage shed on Bell Road--just in case you need to look. My Mom made an absolutely gorgeous white organdy dress and veil for me (guest room closet), and we bought white patent-leather shoes and frilly socks. That's a stretch...I don't remember frilly socks, but I do know I would have wanted some. I loved frilly socks. I had my picture taken (professionally) some days before the event. You'll recognize it when you sort things out. It's obviously me in a white dress and veil looking (and feeling) very pleased with myself. I had not yet made my First Confession.
Unfortunately, the trauma of being shriven of our sins and learning about Purgatory and Hell far outweighed the wonder of our First Communion. The wonder in which Jesus, who spread grace and love and forgiveness throughout the Middle East two thousand years ago, is represented in the form of bread and wine (body and blood) with an open invitation to share that grace, love and forgiveness at his table. He takes all comers and loves all comers. Unfortunately, we never heard that part.
Because I forgot, or perhaps never registered the actual ceremony of our First Communion, the most exciting part for me became the fact that now, I could receive Communion at the Daily Mass (8:20 a.m.) that was the official start of each of our days at Sacred Heart School. In those long-ago times, one fasted from Midnight in order to receive Communion. Since most families served dinner at 6:00 p.m. and put their kids to bed about 8:00 p.m., we had not--at the beginning of Mass--had anything to eat or drink for twelve to fourteen hours. And, yes, the occasional kid did keel over. At least two or three per week. But, it was worth it, because when we got back to our classrooms we could bring our lunch pails out of the closet, and eat our breakfast. I loved eating breakfast at school...sitting in my little old-fashioned desk. My Mother packed a Peanut Butter & Jelly sandwich for my breakfast, and filled a small jar with milk. She covered the milk jar with waxed paper and then screwed the lid on very tightly. Most days it leaked--but not very much...just enough for the sandwich to be a bit damp around the edges. It was the best part of my Second Grade day.
Because I forgot, or perhaps never registered the actual ceremony of our First Communion, the most exciting part for me became the fact that now, I could receive Communion at the Daily Mass (8:20 a.m.) that was the official start of each of our days at Sacred Heart School. In those long-ago times, one fasted from Midnight in order to receive Communion. Since most families served dinner at 6:00 p.m. and put their kids to bed about 8:00 p.m., we had not--at the beginning of Mass--had anything to eat or drink for twelve to fourteen hours. And, yes, the occasional kid did keel over. At least two or three per week. But, it was worth it, because when we got back to our classrooms we could bring our lunch pails out of the closet, and eat our breakfast. I loved eating breakfast at school...sitting in my little old-fashioned desk. My Mother packed a Peanut Butter & Jelly sandwich for my breakfast, and filled a small jar with milk. She covered the milk jar with waxed paper and then screwed the lid on very tightly. Most days it leaked--but not very much...just enough for the sandwich to be a bit damp around the edges. It was the best part of my Second Grade day.
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