In a previous entry, I indicated that my one prayer was that no pope be elected on the day whilst away from home. I even threatened to move all my doctors appointments to a latter date. But not knowing how quickly the election will go, I let that just be an idle threat. Yesterday was a crazy day with one appointment in the morning, one in the afternoon, an ultrasound and what would have been a fun discussion when the Jehovah's Witnesses knocked on my door.
A very generous friend watched my children in my house all day so I could freely gallivant across town. At the end of the third scrutiny before I left for my morning appointment, I was pretty confident there wouldn't be a pope at least until today. Isn't God after all on my side? He knows I have to be home jumping up and down with my children when Habemus Papam is declared. Presumption got me nowhere, the Lord said "no" to me as I grit my teeth at the doctors office watching everything unfold via the waiting room television. With my cellphone vibrating in frenzy (thank you to popealarm.com, my children and my husband!) I wanted to walk out of there and just get home to celebrate. But God is merciful. Right as the new Pope was about to speak, the computers froze and they could not check me in (or anyone else for that matter).
says the receptionist in dismay at the tv: "I don't understand the excitement, I'm Catholic and I'm not excited."
me, verklempt: "I'm Catholic and I'm excited and I have a houseful of kids who are currently glued to the tv, I should be home with them!"
*my phone rings, the receptionist gives me permission to answer, thank you dead computer!
me, disturbing the office peace: "I know, I know, I can't wait to get home, we'll celebrate when I get home"
receptionist: "Did he just speak to you in Latin?"
And then we started a conversation about big Catholic families, homeschooling, an aspiring polyglot household and how the Catholic Church rocks (can't resist the pun!) She was quite mortified at her original comment about being an unexcited Catholic.
Miraculously, the computer started working again right before the Pope gave his Urbi et Orbi blessing and then they whisked me away to the longest ultrasound process ever.
 |
| keeping count |
 |
| a broken cellphone that the kids use as an mp3 player, the girl made this wallpaper, very sweet |
 |
| how the whiteboard looked this morning |
I cracked up at what the receptionist said :"Did he just speak to you in Latin?" That's awesome =)
ReplyDeleteThis election was so meaningful. The kids will really remember it, I think. Joseph was just one week old the last time around, and the others either very young, or not born yet.
I'm so sorry that you were stuck at the doctors, but I'm sure you duly celebrated when you got home!!
-Colby
It's as if Habemus Papam isn't the most recognizable Latin phrase during papal elections! lol Unlike your household, Latin is far from being our second language over here. My kids were really impressed when they heard Joseph speak conversational Latin with your husband. I think that could be a "secret language" between us if we catch up to your level ;-)
DeleteMy kids definitely do not speak in Latin, (it's a good thing or I wouldn't comprehend) and no way could I formulate a sentence if you paid me. I'm not picking it up by osmosis, even after listening to it for 11 years! Basically Mike does all the talking, and the kids catch his drift.
ReplyDeleteBut I did teach the little girls "habemus papam," which they greeted Mike with when he got home. And that's the extent of my abilities. HABEMUS PAPAM!! I've had papal fever these days!
Colby