Really.
Believe me. That is the ONLY reason I am going to pick my grandma up at her place, and drive her to church for 5:00p.m. mass. The rest of my family (who normally pick her up) are currently either in Ottawa for Lil Buddy's Volleyball National play-downs or out playing baseball... clearly out of cell phone reception.
So, when I got a phone call last night asking politely, "Hello dear, are you going to mass this weekend?"
(I momentarily pondered the numerous answers running through my head at record speed, wishing to select the "proper" response). "Weeeeeeeell, I work at 7:30 Sunday morning, so Saturday evening is a possibility, but unfortunately I can't go Sunday" ("unfortunately" made it sound like I was disappointed, right?)
"Well dear, if you pick me up, we can go to 5:00 mass and then I will cook you a steak dinner. You can eat steak, right?"
"um... yup!" (though it is honestly the one meal that I eat with my teeth clenched... I was the kid at the family table who had a hot dog on her plate on Steak Saturdays - looooove beef, but hate steak. But, it was sweet of her - planning a meal in which I wouldn't have to worry about allergies)
"So do you want to stop by here at 4:40? That should get us to the church on time"
"You bet Grandma, I'll be downstairs at 4:40"
"Thank you sweety. I look forward to seeing you."
"Me too. Night!"
So... it is almost 4:30 and getting closer to the time in which I will leave to pick her up. I just finished vacuuming out the car, windex-ing all the windows, and scrubbing floor mats. It will just make the evening easier if things are top notch. Hopefully she won't say anything about the foot marks on the inside of the passenger door... I had company in February who put them there, and couldn't bring myself to wipe them clean yet.
Apparently the presider tonight is a visiting, retired bishop - whose younger brother, married my parents 25 years ago this summer. Is it improper church etiquette to forego receiving a blessing from visiting bishop? I can almost hear family members rolling over in their graves when I consider being rebellious and taking communion tonight, while not "in good standing with the greater church"...it's an awesome thought... but I won't. I'm not ready to proclaim that leaving the RC church was a mistake.
UGH! Of all the weekends for my family to be out of town... they had to pick this one? Maybe Grandma will call in sick... hahaha... who am I kidding?! I better go get cleaned up. I don't want to be the "grandaughter who dresses like a slob to take her grandma to church".
Well, Grandma, I'm on my way shortly. But... I assure you, it's not for the steak or the draw of going to church, it's really (truly) only because I love you.
