Palms up. (No donkey)

Keep reading. You’ll see the connection.(Frank Vincentz/Commons.wikimedia.org)

All those tall inflatable tubes bobbing in front of businesses probably inspired by my palm waving.

Closer to vaudeville stage than Cathedral, ours was a hands-on church

Lots of kids in pageants acting out Bible stories which naturally resulted in competitive Moms constructing the most elaborate, the most heavenly costumes. Mentioning the “sin of pride”, totally avoided. (And if done right, a two-fer as a Halloween costume.)

Older brother was always one of the chosen ones.

Extremely dependable. Followed directions flawlessly. Tall for his age, he made a perfect “King of Orient Are” at Christmas. I felt such pride as he solemnly carried the gold-sprayed cigar box down the aisle to the manger.

Me, one of the littlest angels (with crooked tinsel halo), was herded out with the clump of others in belted white pillowcases.

Knowing I was generally shy and silent, Dad had whispered he’d give me a special treat if I would sing loud enough to be heard in the back pew.

Will ear-piercingly shreik sing for treats.

They said everyone asked “Who is that little angel singing so loudly?” But I never heard. Too busy belting out the carol and thinking of treats.

Mother was appalled. Brother grimly hoped no one would connect him with me. Dad thought it was hilarious. Hey, all the words were there and in the right order.

Brother grew to dread pageants as much as I loved them.

The minister’s wife dreamed of this, not our grubby mob. (Bundesarchiv,Bild 102-13232/Commons.wikimedia.org)

Palm Sunday approached. Would there be a real donkey?

Bets were taken. (Despite the fact that gambling was a “get down on your knees and beg for forgiveness” item.)

Then, excitement spread like lightning. 

One of the church members was a florist. Instead of the usual sticks with green crepe paper fringe that faded in sweaty hands, real palm branches were coming. Frilly fronds would be carried by each child in the congregation up the main aisle and placed in front of the altar before each quietly returned to sit beside their parents.

Oh, the image of a meaningful illustration of The Word. A lesson that would stay with a child forever!

Palm Sunday we lined up in pairs according to height with the tallest closest to the entrance. 

 Moms went down the lines to make sure the Easter shoes were buckled or tied neatly, zippers zipped, and any pastel satin ribbons safely tucked.

Then the exotic emerald palm fronds distributed: the longest fronds to the tallest in the procession. But even those firmly pressed into little hands were giant…or at least as long as a yard stick.

Quiet instructions were given walk proudly and smile as if welcoming Jesus himself way back then. Then the door flew open and the organ music swelled.

The grand march began. Happily, no one tripped or fell down.

Women like this never broke a nail helping with pageants. No checking zippers for them. Her kid’s outfits were made by hired seamstresses. No one wanted to sit behind her and her hats.(USPD/Commons.wikimedia.org)

Brother, of course, complained bitterly afterwards. Mom just hurried us to the car. Dad simply asked why I wildly whipped my palm frond to and fro as if attacking a fly waved my frond so, uh, enthusiastically.

“Well,” opening my little colorful illustrated Bible to the Palm Sunday picture, “wanted to do it right,” I said pointing. And there on the page were little children skipping and cheerfully waving fronds in the air in front of the donkey. “They told us to walk and not skip, ” I said seriously. “But that’s OK since there wasn’t a donkey to get out of the way of.”

Brother took to sitting in the back of the church with the older kids. Appreciating “make a joyful noise” at a distance, I guess.

Dad and me, well, we only come for the singing.

And leave our seats empty on holidays for those who only show up then.

More true cathedral is the woods anyway.

Whatever you choose, insist on waves of joy.

Phil the Philosopher Mouse of the Hedge

Speaking of happy hopping outdoors in the open air…(More about the bunnies here.)

https://vimeo.com/96189062

 

 

 

 

 

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