When you have received Him, stir up your heart to do Him homage; speak to Him about your spiritual life, gazing upon Him in your soul where He is present for your happiness; welcome Him as warmly as possible, and behave outwardly in such a way that your actions may give proof to all of His Presence. ~ St. Francis deSales
Today was a huge day for HS. We have witnessed and helped him grow in his Faith over the last year as he progressed towards this day. Today we watched as he stood before our Heavenly Father and received the most precious gift He gave to each of us, His body and blood.
It is so hard to write this blog. On many levels I am emotional about this milestone in HS's faith. It is moments like this that I wish there was a magical transporter. Family have missed two big advancements for HS so I was a basket of tears, frustration, and joy as the day approached. Lucky for me, HS always helps put me at ease over that frustration with big hugs and smiles. It is his smile that relaxed me as I walked him into the classroom to get him ready for the mass.
The classroom was a bustle of activity. Girls dressed in beautiful white dresses and the smell of the flower leis on their heads filled the room as only the delicate white Hawaiian flowers can. The boys all looked so handsome and gave me a glimpse into what they would look like as adults. They glanced around the room giggling and chatting as the principal and second grade teachers took pride in greeting each of the children with a hug or an encouraging smile. Then, I watched with tears as a long Ti leaf lay was placed gently around his neck by Mrs. P. and Mrs. M, his principal, tied on the regal red sash. He turned to me and said, "Mom...look! I'm ready, now!" He was awfully tentative in getting settled into waiting for mass, so I stayed with him until he gave me the "nod" of Ok...I'm fine...go.
HH couldn't have selected a better pew. Without knowing where HS would end up sitting, we were lucky enough to be seated kitty corner from him. He processed down the aisle, bowed, and gave us that huge HS smile as he entered his pew. I cried...for what would be one of a billion by the time the mass was ended. I couldn't believe how personal this mass was. The children literally glowed with pride. Smiles and nerves blended together as we moved closer to their big moment with Father Sebastian.
It was as though time stood still when I saw HS bow before Father Sebastian and open his mouth to receive the body and blood. He came back into his pew, turned to us, and mouthed the words, "that was good!" to us and then went back to his focused state. Each child was a little different...there were funny faces, grimaces as they tasted wine for the 1st time, nervous twitches as they patiently took turns to approach the Father. Each of them glowed a little brighter as they came back from receiving.
Without a doubt, the 30 kids who took Communion today at Holy Family Catholic Church are now warmed with the spirit of God. They have been touched by Him and welcomed into His family. HH and I will cherish today for the remainder of our lives. We have been given such a phenomenal gift by God and we will never tire of watching as our children grow closer to God's love and grace. I will leave this post with the words from the song the Communion class sung to us as they stood in front of the altar. They left not a dry eye as they lifted their voices up to God.
Welcome to the Family
We're glad that you have come
to share your life with us
as we grow in love and
may we always be to you
what God would have us be;
a family always there
to be strong and to lean on.
May we learn to love each other
more with each new day.
May words of love be on our lips
in everything we say.
May the Spirit melt our hearts
and teach us how to pray
that we might be...
a true family.
My planet is called Nishaho. Nishaho is in the middle of the Milky Way. There were a lot of world wars on this planet. Thankfully, they are at peace now. There are also a lot of bad gases on this planet so you must wear a special mask. It is made out of water, gases, and trees. If you like to swim, climb trees, and the smell of gas, then this is the planet for you!
How do you express thanks? Chocolates delicately wrapped in foil, flowers with fragrant smells filling the air, or a gift certificate wrapped with a little red bow? End of the school year sends parents on a mass mission on finding that perfect trinket or item to show their gratitude. 
"Mo-mmmm-yyyy...scoooter!" she cried out in jubilation. A millisecond passed before she tapped my hand and then reached up to my face and said again with ownership, "Mommy...my scooter!" I glanced in the direction of her chubby pointer finger. There it was. A lovely princess pink Radio Flyer scooter complete with flower power 1960s print on the foot pedal. LD was right. It was indeed a scooter fit for her.
Has it really been almost a year that HS sat down in front of the piano for his 1st lesson? According to the pamphlet I held in my hand today, it has. Time flies when you are listening to music of a budding pianist. HS's spring recital was another fantastic opportunity for all of the piano students to reap the rewards of hard work and dedication. I look forward to the piano recitals...held in a historic home in downtown Honolulu, the students all get a chance to shine as they play on a grand piano, turning even the simplest of songs into Beethoven.
Once upon a time, 
