icourtland!

as part of the family day out – my Dad and Marilyn’s last day in The City – we went down (up?) to Chinatown for the afternoon. nice day, so it was a good time to go, middle of the week, so better than any week-end would have been.

we got there a “bit” too early, a good half hour or so until shops started opening. oh well. as we walked i noticed that St Mary’s was open, and always up for a good BIG church (now that i’ve kicked that nasty “burst into flames” problem) we headed inside. good for Dad since he could look at some of the history pictures of the church and enjoy the stained glass (wow – by the way) and good for Marilyn as a nice peaceful and coolish place to sit for a bit after the walk that far. good for me since they had a moment to enjoy another beautiful peace/piece of my home.

as i walked about, i was enjoying the stained glass and the alters to the varied saints. lots of candles burning. lots of people left behind in the last few years. last time i was there my grand-mother was still here, and lots of other folks sprung to mind. so i did something i have never done before. i marched myself up to the desk at the back and plunked down a bunch of dollars for a tall votive to light for those that couldn’t do it themselves.

i walked right back – no hesitation – to the St Francis alter, pushed my candle in beside the few already in place and lit it from the one closest to me. not a catholic boy me, so i hope that was right, but i wasn’t “smited” so all must be good.

stared a few moments – wished well to those who travelled before us – and then headed up to meet the folks. don’t have a clue if they even noticed.

was a bit sad that it wasn’t a birthday cake candle my old friend – but maybe in a way it was.