Milestone after Milestone: Luke’s First Communion
I’m not sure my heart was ever, truly, prepared for the beauty of Luke’s first communion day. Now that I’ve had a few weeks to process it all, I’ll do my best to capture it in words. You can bet there will be lots of photos, too.
Today, I’ll share the joy of the sacrament and later this week, you’ll get all the party details.
A few days before the big weekend, Luke and I trotted up to the church to take some photos, without all the crazy, and I’m so glad we did that. It made First Communion day much less stressful.
We arrived bright and early to the church, right after our coolers leaked water all over the floor because we forgot to seal the plugs. #storyofmylife At least we were still at home to get it all cleaned up.
Our family was incredibly thankful to have two priests we love concelebrate the Mass, Fr. Tom and Fr. Dean (Luke’s Godfather).
Father’s homily really got the kids’ engaged. Near the end, I could sense a few of them were anxious and ready for show time, namely Master Luke. I don’t think he stopped smiling the entire morning!
Luke was near the back of the first communicants (all 154 of them!), but we had a clear view of his walk all the way to the altar. That’s what did it for me. Just like on his first day of kindergarten, a flood of memories came rushing back from his early days in the neonatal intensive care unit. He keeps meeting milestone after milestone. I falsely believe these moments will get easier, instead the joy is heightened, the awareness palpable and the love greater. I do so love being the mom of a preemie. It’s given me a greater appreciation for the ordinary and that’s a love story only God can write.
Luke confidently marched to the altar as his entire family and a host of other precious friends proudly watched. And then this…
I didn’t break down sobbing like I feared. Instead it just felt so very, very beautiful, as if God had been orchestrating this moment, with this little boy, for eternity. With each sacramental grace, the scars fade a bit more and the joy is magnified. We were blessed to have Fr. Dean give Luke the precious blood, what a moment that was.
Luke was slightly less than thrilled when we subjected him to 1,537 photos after the Mass. I bargained with cookies and cake and that seemed to help.
Later this week I’ll share the reverie from the party. It might include taco hats, pinatas and a lot of sugar.
Luke, God has so many things planned for your life. Keep saying yes, okay? The two of you are quite the pair.
What beautiful pictures! Luke looks so happy!
Yes a very beautiful First Communon! We are still very connected to our Christian Family. We went to schultz’s Last night to listen to the UmPah band. Danny( a junior in mechanical engineering) is in Japan working this summer and will graduate next summer. Erin (Sophomore in Arizona)is flying solo and studying aeronautical science. Kristen (HS junior) is going into healthcare when she graduates. Robbie and Mary still in middle and grade school. They purchased a grand piano and all play piano and other instruments. Robbie is interested in baseball and the robotics club. Mary likes hermit crabs and raises them. Courtney just graduated from college. She was in the group that went to Mass and had retreats for women at the Schoenstatt Shrine. She was Mary one time in the pilgrimage that happens every year on First Friday. Courtney has a job in Huntsville. Shelby is working for a company in New Jersey. She will be a sophomore in college, her dad’s alma mater in electrical engineering. Maria graduates next year and is thinking of going to Duke. She coaches the girls kickball team. Ashley is the gymnast. She has been in competitions many places. John is now a pitcher for the baseball team. Elena and Samantha are in high school. Elena is still playing an instrument and doing some theatre. Samantha is also interested in theater and the arts. We still all get together and go Christmas caroling every year. Just looking at the beautiful picture you gave all gave Larry and I of all of the christian family one year which still has a prominent place in our home. Thanks for your blog beautiful lady. Larry and I are aging. It indeed is not for sissies. We have two granddaughters now. Our oldest is seven and just started first grade. She loves to do gymnastics and play the piano. Nicola her sister was adopted in Fort Worth. Pray for all of us. You are in our prayers. I am discerning the Family of the Apostles of the interior Life and will God willing will take promises in January. Love and God bless.
Maureen
How great to hear how everyone is doing – what a gift they’re all thriving and growing! You and Larry were a precious part of our faith formation during those early years.
[…] watching you flourish through it all. This year brought about some big changes for you. This spring you celebrated your first communion. I might’ve smiled/cried as I watched you proudly walk to the front of the church and receive […]