Friday, August 14, 2026

FRIDAY THIS & THAT- THE REST OF THE STORY.....

 


   

(Ria & Lulu)
After I posted last week about 
getting ready for 
Lulu's first communion, (here)
I had some people tell me
that wanted the 
"rest of the story" 
as
Paul Harvey (remember him?) used to say.

So-Lulu's 1st communion 
continues- here goes-
We head to church and I am in charge 
of SweetCheeks.
We arrive a bit after everyone else.
 I am keeping her busy for as long as I can.
Most of the family is up in the 
front 3 or 4 rows, 
I sidetrack hubby & son & wife
 and we sit in the LAST row
 with SweetCheeks. 
Remember her?
 The one that "hates chuch"?

 A Catholic church has lots of "rules". Sometimes you stand up, 
sometimes you sit down, 
sometimes you kneel. 
SweetCheeks decided that 
no matter WHAT rule was applicable 
at any particular time-
she didn't care. 

She wanted ME to draw 
on the program that we were given. 
"Nana, dwraw a cat"-
"Hey-dass a cat? 
"Dat dusn't look like a cat to me"...
Scribble...scribble...scribble...
"DAS a cat, Nana". 
Ummmhummm...I see that now. 
Dwraw sumthin else...
hmmm....how about a dog? 
"Das not a dawg" ...scribble...scribble...scribble...
"DAS a dawg".
Oh, yeah...NOW I can see it, plain as day..
Why did I think a dog needed 
ears and a nose anyway? 

"Whut's dat?" she asks pointing-
"That's your invisible friend, Bob," 
I tell her. 
"Pfffft-Das not BOB-
Bob's haair dusn't luuk like dat! 
"Nana-yuse crazy" she chortles.
 
I don't respond but I am thinking-
Hmmmm...
Bob is invisble and 
carrying on conversations 
with SweetCheeks
 and 
I am the crazy one?

Uh-oh...now the singing starts. 
SweetCheeks lifts her voice in OPRHA 
to sing along as if she were part 
of the Mitch Miller band. 
"I singin OPRHA", she informs me. 
"Really? Wow! That sounds good, SweetCheeks!"
 Head nods up and down..."I know, Nana".

Soon, the communion part 
of the ceremony begins.
SweetCheeks decides 
she has to go to the bathroom...
which...by quinkydink, 
happens to be just past 
the flowing baptismal. 

Silence envelopes us as 
I hurry her down the aisle. 
As we are making our way back to our pew 
SweetCheeks spies the baptismal 
(which she somehow missed on the way out)
"HEY! Deres watah in dere, Nana!" 
(hand reaches out and touches the font of baptismal water & sprays her a bit). 

"Now I wet-See? I telled you I hate chuch!" 
she says with a malevolent stare 
aimed at anyone 
that happens to be looking at her. 

Lord, love us-
I start praying- 
we are going to need divine intercession 
to get through the rest of this service...
and God,being God,
provides that little miracle. 
Auntie Lynn swoops in and takes SweetCheeks 
to some blessedly quiet place for a while.

The ceremony continues and Lulu looks lovely as she is blessed. 
When all is said and done 
asked her how it went....
She said, "I liked the wine!" 
And, so, finally & at last, 
I see my Irish heritage 
standing before me young and proud. 
"God bless you, Lulu," 
I tell her and give her a kiss on her sweet and innocent face. 
"How about some of the special cake your Mom made?"

I am thinking ahead to when SweetCheeks will make her first communion.
Suddenly a song starts plays in my head.
"I Can Only Imagine".

Thanks for staying for Part Two
and reading along.
Next week on to other things!
Bear with me as I navigate life here.
Hubby is not doing well (again)
at this point and so life
changes courses day by day.
Plans fall apart and 
I don't have the time
to always do all the things 
I want to do.  


Have a wonderful weekend and
I will try to get around to visit
some blogs today!
Love all you readers that
have followed me all these years..
and love the newer readers, too.
your photo name

28 comments:

Ann said...

I always so enjoy reading stories about Sweet Cheeks.
S sorry to hear about your husband. Keeping you in my thoughts and prayers

Pamela M. Steiner said...

Oh my goodness...what a great story! I loved this, and can so relate having wrestled with three boys in church from the day they were born practically, as a Pastor's Wife and trying to make them behave because EVERYONE is watching us ALL THE TIME! You are a great story teller! But seriously, I am sorry that your dear hubby is not doing well again, and I will definitely be keeping you both in my thoughts and prayers. May God be with you and give you strength for each new day. (((HUGS)))

Cheryl Kimbley said...

Oh how funny. Out of the mouths of babes!!!! Such a cute story.
Hope your husband feels better quickly. Take care.

Debra She Who Seeks said...

"I liked the wine" and Irish heritage -- hahahahaha, that made me laugh out loud! I hope life settles down and runs more smoothly for you and your husband soon, Diana.

NanaDiana said...

Testing

HIBISCUS HOUSE said...

I so enjoyed reading this! xoxo Dolly

Tom said...

...of course I remember Paul Harvey. He said that economics were quite easy, "the price of wheat went up, the price of bread went up, the price of wheat went down, the price of bread when up!" I was never much for rules. Diana, I wish you and your husband the best, take care and be well.

Anonymous said...

Great Part 2!! Know you and your Hero are loved & thought of often ~
bobbie

I'm mostly known as 'MA' said...

What a character your Sweet Cheeks was/is ! Hopefully she has outgrown her attitude towards church. I'll be praying for you and your hubby as you navigate life there. Take good care!

The Happy Whisk said...

I'm sorry that your hubby isn't doing well. Sending healing wishes

~Lavender Dreamer~ said...

I always thought about that....you can do what you want to, but it never happens does it! I sure hope hubby feels better soon. I hope and pray we can both enjoy lots of our life and deal with what comes our way. We are both determined! Love, Diane

This N That said...

Somehow I missed this...I miss the "sweet cheeks" stories. Sorry John has slipped again..I know it's hard on you and keeps you from living your life...
xxoo

Ginny Hartzler said...

Oh goodness, she is feisty and knows her own mind! What a trying, funny, and memorable time you had!

Mevely317 said...

What a great telling ... better than Part I! I wonder if the Priest was about to burst a vein to keep from laughing. Thank you so much for sharing.

Prayers for John!

Kay G. said...

You are so dang funny, Diana! We know where Sweet Cheeks gets that funny side! Hope things will settle down a bit for you, my friend. x

HappyK said...

That was some story!! Sorry to hear John is not doing to well. Praying for him and you too.

The Happy Whisk said...

Very cool about your pup. Ours walked into the yard and never left. Owners said they didn't want him. My teeth are good. I wrote teeth good but a few folks missed that. I get it. I miss stuff too. Love that we both gut new dogs!

jack69 said...

Absolutely GREAT and a lot of fun. YOu are a good one, I know the kids loved you for sure. I think you handled it the BEST. I can only imagine the family stories in the get togethers much later.
Love from NC, we have decided to head for Florida vs PA this time of the year... Love ya... Hug the old man...

Bless said...

Those are the kind of stories that make family lore,! I hope your husband's health improves. Keeping you in my prayers.

Theresa said...

Thank you for sharing this story, it made me smile and brought back childhood memories for me. I will add you to my prayer list! Sending HUGS and PRAYERS your way.

Jeanie said...

I'm so glad you shared this! What a great story. Less glad that your husband isn't doing well and things are uneven right now. Sending hugs.

Bill said...

What a great and funny story. Sorry to hear John isn't doing well. Sending prayers.

Terri D said...

I'm late getting here, but sure enjoyed your post, Diana! I giggled out loud at "I Can Only Imagine"!! Perfect! xo

BeachGypsy said...

I hope your husband starts to improve and get better. Any improvement today? Did you get a new puppy? seems like I saw a post, anyway, looking forward to seeing pictures, I think it was a girl? Mercy if she's anything like our two, YOU ARE BUSY. Prayers for your hubby. Hugs.

Donna said...

Life indeed keeps you guessing! Awww! Communion! I remember mine... I was raised in the Catholic church...went to parochial school until the 9th grade...I miss it! We go to a Baptist church because hubby just didn't want to convert...oh well...
The girls are precious...and I'll be praying for your hubby...and You!
hugs
Donna

Kim said...

I love the references to Paul Harvey and Mitch Miller...it reminds me of a much more civilized and perhaps simpler time? Maybe it really wasn't, maybe it's just nostalgia tainting my memories. Your memories are the sweetest. Thanks for sharing them with us...and I really do hope John is on the mend. I know this isn't easy. Hugs to you my friend. xo

Lowcarb team member said...

Thank you for sharing this story.

I was sorry to read that John is not doing too well at the moment.
Prayers for him and you too.

All the best Jan

At Rivercrest Cottage said...

Sweet story about a really sweet girl. I’ve been gone for a while, but will be blogging again soon. Sharon