Palm Sunday Snapshots and Musings

If you happened to be driving just east of downtown today in my town, you would have probably noticed a procession of teenage boys and old men wearing yellow dresses and carrying assorted religious-looking paraphernalia, including candles, a cross-on-a-stick, a censer, and something that would have been difficult to identify to the onlooker, but which was, in fact, a book. Behind the six men in yellow dresses, you would have seen a trail of about sixty people of assorted shape, size, and color, all carrying a branch or frond of some sort.

All of this was because today is Palm Sunday. Dr. Recruiter was at the back of the procession with his son. I'm not sure which was more fun to watch. Calvin (as in & Hobbes) was jumping around and playing, since his dad had told him that would be acceptable during the procession. Dr. Recruiter had a distinctly amused expression while he looked for all the world like he was trying to herd cats. Meanwhile, one of the kids with whom I share a birthday decided I needed a palm hat.

Liturgy today was my last as a catechumen. I will be baptized on Saturday! I'm so excited! I'm not sure what I'm most excited about, really. I mean, I dreamed of meat a couple nights ago, and next Sunday we will be returning to a carnivorous state. Then there's Holy Week itself, which I'm told is really something. I've even managed to trim back my schedule a tad at the end of the week, so I'll be able to attend the most important parts.

I'm getting baptized on Saturday! I'll be able to change my Facebook profile! Silly, I know, but I'm so ready to not be "reorganizing." When I became a catechumen, I'm told I became Orthodox, but it was on a somewhat limited basis. There are things in which catechumens cannot participate. Beginning Saturday, that changes. When the Deacon says, "With fear of God and faith and love, draw near," I'll finally be able to go receive Holy Communion. I've been waiting for this for a long time. Knowing that Saturday is coming made today exciting.

It was also a bit odd. At least one person at church said something about getting me baptized, getting The Boy here, and getting us married. Someone else was joking about that situation and commented that I'm "languishing" here, waiting for him. I had to laugh at that one. A third person asked Father how many kids I should have! Father looked at him and responded, "But she's not married!" Whew! Thank you, Father Patrick, for that response!

I need a nap. And I need to study. But first I am desperate for fresh air. And maybe some fruit.