Eternal Sunshine

Sam and I took a walk this beautiful, sunny afternoon. We walk our neighborhood often, and give nods and kudos to fellow Chicco baby strollers. We spied a few teenaged girls wearing long, floral skirts and ethereal smiles, their hair pinned up in buns, walking from house to house holding large notepads and ... a shoe box? (traveling collection plate?) Huh? I surmised that they were up to Jesus business. I love God, and on a day like today, greatly. Sunshine makes you aware of his power. But these smiling teens were walking towards us with their #2 pencils and intentions, and I thought, "Don't you touch my son. Keep those frumpy frocks away from us."

They were obviously happy, enjoying the day as well, but I didn't want to be "signed up" for God. I've known people captured by the cult of so-called "Christ," trapped in a long prairie skirt, with parents who wouldn't allow them to befriend outsiders. My best friend in 6th grade was a Jehovah's Witness. Her parents invited me to church a few times (I was what...10?) and then "invited" me to become a member. I told them that I belonged to my own church, with my parents, and that my father might not appreciate me wandering from the flock. They were pissed. They hadn't done the math right, and were coming up short of a few souls they were responsible for getting into heaven.

I remember being involved in a 30 minute prayer at my final Jehovah episode. My friend and I, and I'm sure many others, were falling asleep. As the "pastor" (or whatever he was called) passed the bread, I passed my friend a little note that said this: Dark bread, yuck.

I have this knack for making people laugh uncontrollably in church.

This was the beginning of the end of my friendship with Kelly. And we'd had all those great nights rollerskating beforehand...

My dad's church, technically speaking, loves a good revival, but they allow you to make your own way. I like that. Having a son makes me awake and aware of so much more. The deep end of the ocean. But don't shove it down my throat: I choke so easily.

Sam and I have been watching The Great Escape on TCM tonight. I said: Son, when is the last time you watched a good POW movie with your mother?

He burped.