That is what they tell me. Too serious. Too uptight over things that are totally out of my control. Spending time, energy and money on situations that dry the resources. Lighten up. Worry causes wrinkles. OK, at 71 the wrinkle thing doesn’t do much for the cause, but I know they are right.
Fine. New plan. Lighten up.
We attend church in an area where 20 VW bugs might ease into the available parking space. However, SUV’s, vans and pick-ups far outnumber the gas (and space) savers. It is not uncommon to walk several blocks from car to church. So we arrive 30 to 45 minutes early to avoid the walk that is very difficult for Bob.
Good again. Part of my new plan includes reading on the lighter side and I now have 30 captive minutes. I can sit in the car and work on ‘untightening’ that uptight. In total disclosure mode, I confess that reading inside the church has been known to happen. Frigid temps make me uptight. And, of course, I know that praying matches church, but praying rises in many forms.
Quiet corner pew backed against two walls and a few feet back from the flickering vigil lights marks our regular spot. Bob can stretch that bionic knee into the aisle without fear of tripping late comers. I can read, reminiscent of a furtive kid hiding a novel behind the chemistry text.
Wally Lamb is one of my favorite authors. My shelf has two copies of I Know This Much Is True and She’s Come Undone. If someone borrows and neglects to return, I still have a copy when no other book will fill the need. Wishin’ and Hopin’ is Wally Lamb’s book set in the halls of St. Aloysius Gonzaga Parochial School. Sounds perfect for reading in church, right?
Wishin’ and Hopin’ is not a quiet book. Ten year old Felix speaks in the innocence (and ignorance) of my ten-year old self. This is a new Wally Lamb. It is so funny. The third time I laughed out loud (in church, remember?) it was time to close the book or choke on the words. Besides, I knew a marathon reading session would fill the evening and people were beginning to suspect this wasn’t a prayer-book.
So praying does match church—- through the gift of laughter in a place of worship. I feel lighter already.
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