For the first time in 28 years of parenting, I did this amazing new thing today:
I went on a field trip.
!
(Yes, I’m That Mom)
It was up the road to Hanceville, the site of the Shrine of the Most Blessed Sacrament.
I was up there a couple of weeks ago with Ann Engelhart. Back today with 9- and 10-year olds and one puny-feeling 6-year old who didn’t feel well enough to go to Kindergarten.
It’s an interesting place. Especially when juxtaposed with Ave Maria Grotto up the road you have quite a slice of Catholic Life here in the middle of Alabama. Honestly, Ave Maria Grotto is more my style – because Ave Maria Grotto is an expression of passionate love for God in a ramshackle, jerry-rigged kind of way and I am absolutely a ramshackle, jerry-rigged kind of person, but one can’t help but admire what has been accomplished here in the middle of Nowhere, Alabama, by a woman who began in such discouraging circumstances in Nowhere, Ohio.
(With apologies to the inhabitants of Hanceville and Canton. Really!)
The guide – Jonathon- provided by the Shrine was excellent. I was quite impressed with his way with the kids as well as his simple, direct, and honest retelling of the story of Mother Angelica. The take-away was a simple, “Look what you can do for God if you just listen and are brave.”
(crypt)
