March 9, 2010

Dear sweet little Jacey had her first confession this afternoon. She is well on her way to her first communion in May. She’s been studying and learning her Act of Contrition and Hail Mary’s and all that other Catholic voodoo stuff.

We walked into the church and sat with her classmates. As the first classmate went, she looked over her shoulder and watched with a bit of trepidation. She was a little scared and readily admitted it. I wanted to help. Out of the blue I remembered how I used to tease Tucker before his first confession to ease the tension. I would remind him to be sure to confess everything to the priest, especially the part about… and then I’d make up something silly. Tucker thought it was hilarious 3 years ago. So I leaned over and told Jacey the story. Soon it was her turn.

The priest was in the back of sanctuary, far enough that you couldn’t hear, but close enough to see. Jacey sat down in front of the priest and there was a bit of crossing and chanting and incense, and then the priest, who had been very serious with the previous students, leaned back in his chair, chuckled and began to smile. Jacey had a big grin and looked our way. They continued talking and smiling and smiling and talking. This wasn’t like any of the other kid’s confession. What had I done?

As we walked to the car, we asked what she confessed. What had she said that made the priest laugh? She didn’t want to tell. We begged. She hesitated. Then giggling: I told him my Dad said that I should say I once killed a man in Tennessee! And that sometimes I roll my eyes. And I hit my brother.

We’re going to have to change churches. Maybe it’s time to move back to Austin.