Thanksgiving Mass

When I mention that our museum will cover those who serve(d) our country on the home front during times of war, almost everyone thinks immediately of World War II and Rosie the Riveter.   But what about today and what about families?  Is their story being told?

My family gathered in Fayetteville, North Carolina last week at my mother’s home for Thanksgiving.  A highlight is always attending morning Mass at St. Patrick’s Church.  The large sanctuary was nearly full and all came to give thanks to God in a reverent way for all our many blessings.  Quiet and respectful…except for two little boys sitting three rows in front of us.  These imps squirmed.  They made noises.  They dropped things.  They behaved like…well… little boys.

Nobody actually glared or said anything, but you knew that we all were thinking after 10 minutes or so, “Why doesn’t that mother do something about her disruptive sons.  We came here to worship, not be distracted.”  The young woman seemed determined to ride out the storm inside the church.  She would settle one boy down then try to attend to the Mass, but within two minutes one or the other son was at it again.  Was this going to go on the entire Mass?

And then it struck me.  Her husband is deployed.  A high percentage of Catholic parishioners in Fayetteville are military, and this poor woman is there to pray for the safety of her sons’ father.

I shared this thought with my wife, and she went and spoke with the woman after Communion.  “Honey, do you need any help?  Our son was just as squirmy when he was that age.  Are you an Army wife?  Is your husband deployed?”

They didn’t speak long, but I could see the young mother’s look of gratitude that someone understood.  She told my wife that her husband is in the Army and he was away on an assignment.

“Are you OK?”

“Yes. Thanks for asking.  I’m just a little worn out.”

I came to give thanks for my family, and I left giving thanks for hers and others like her.  God bless America.