Of Godmothers and Confirmations

When Anne-with-an-e was confirmed last month, her godmother, Holly, put together a beautiful prayer package. I know it's too late to use the idea this year, but some of you might want to file it away for your own children or godchildren down the road.

A box arrived here about ten days before Confirmation -- the enclosed card explained that Aunt Holly and her family (godfather Jack was also Anne's sponsor) would pray a novena to the Holy Spirit in the days leading up to Anne's Confirmation. The box held nine small presents, one for each day of the novena, as little reminders that Anne was enveloped in prayer. Attached to each gift was a prayer or a Scripture passage. Sweet little treats, holy cards, trinkets, favorite candies and fun gifts -- something was opened each day, and on the last day, Anne's final gift.

Such lovely reminders -- of the approaching day, the sacrament, the power of the love of God, and the beauty of the love of His people for each other.

Holly would deflect this praise, and would want you to know that she didn't come up with the idea (though I will stress to you what a beautiful job she did in carrying it out.) The idea came from "Aunt" Jean, who is not an aunt to Holly's children or mine, but is as beloved as any aunt could be, and is one of the most beautiful people I know.

Thanks, Jean and Holly, for such lovely ideas, which help to make the abstract and invisible concrete, real and near to our earthly-anchored eyes and hearts.