But there were the three rosaries- right there- and so a couple of nights after the party we began our family prayer, just before the start of the bedtime routine.
They all love getting a chance to hold their rosaries, but it's Abby who gets the most excited of all. She enjoys the whole process, from fingering the beads to reciting the prayers. Within a couple of days, she'd latched so firmly onto it that she pointed out the omission when Tom and I nearly forgot to work it in during the chaos of room-changing. In less than a week, she's become familiar enough with the Hail Mary to say it right along with Tom and me.
It warms my heart to see them all so happy and receptive. I know that as the years go by and awareness combined with experience begins to alter their perspectives, they may come to enjoy it less. They may- as I do at times- see it as more of a chore.
And so, I hold these moments tenderly in my heart as I try to capture their childlike innocence and enthusiasm. They have plenty to spare, and I sure could use the boost myself, most days.
As luck would have it they were all so thoroughly exhausted this evening that they look far from happy in my pictures, so you'll have to just take my word on that. |