Ashes

Today is Ash Wednesday. For some, it's a dreaded day, for it's the first of forty days during which he or she will fast or give up an indulgence; for others, it's the first day of an exciting resolution to change his or her life, be it healthwise, socially, or financially - meaning giving up certain foods that should ultimately lead to a trimmer midsection, volunteering extra days at the homeless shelter, or filling a piggy bank to offer to his/her choice of charity at the end of Lent. All in all, things that make one feel good inside.

Yours Truly had no plans of any of the above.

*Tsk, tsk, tsk!*

... until she received a text from Mayet, that ultimately lead to a "dare" of sorts to get ashes at church to start the Lenten season.

So, Yours Truly gobbled up a plate of gyro leftovers at Mayet's to stave off hunger pangs, and headed off to church with her and the kids.

Mayet contemplating on her Lenten fast. 
Oh, what to give up?!

 Because having a stranger rub dirt on your forehead can be a tad daunting to a two-and-a-half year old, we prepared Sheazie Bear for it. "The nice lady is going to put ashes on my forehead, then I say Amen! Then she's going to put the same ashes on your forehead, and Jaida Bug's, and Mommy's, and they're all going to say Amen!"

"Okay," Sheazie approved. 

Jaida Bug couldn't care less. If she could reach the bowl of ashes, she'd eat it!

Thus, we marched up to the altar, and received the mark of the cross on our foreheads. 

And Sheazie Bear couldn't have been more proud to get dirt on put on his forehead by a stranger who mumbled something about ashes and rising from the dead.

Amen!

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