In thanksgiving for friends, the sacraments, and huffing chrism

This past weekend I got to visit with some college friends. I’ve never been one to think about friendships and how valuable they are until very recently. You see, Emma was my first roommate at UT. I remember when she roomed with Cindy. Cindy was dating Dio. I’ve known Emma since the summer of 1994 and Cindy and Dio since the fall of 1996. Then Emma met Sal, they fell in love in 1998 or 1999 {with the help and ultimate approval of my oldest who was probably no more than three years old at the time}.  In all those years, we all met our husbands and went on to get married and start our families. Emma moved to El Paso and though we’ve all tried to bribe her to come back, the day has yet to come {but I remain hopeful!} Though the bonds of friendships are often tested, it amazes and humbles me that these friends are still in my life. And this is definitely not because of anything I did or said. Quite the opposite. When we do get together it’s like time hasn’t passed. We just pick up where we left off and reminisce in old times, talk about the newest happenings and just generally enjoy each other’s company.

I always assumed friends would be there. Lucky for me, that was the case. You see…when we first started attending St. William, we found that Cindy and Dio started attending not long after us. We also had other mutual friends who I knew from those early college days as well who lived in the same area and later found out they were longterm St. Willy parishioners, too! What were the odds that we would all attend the same parish, north of Austin and away from the fun, cool, hip and liberal vibe that downtown Austin has to offer?

It’s been a blessing to say the least that all these friendships have always remained despite moves, visits, distance and just the general ebb and flow of life, but one thing that makes me feel even more bonded to my friends is our spiritual and familial connection through the sacraments. Cindy and Dio asked Emma and Sal to be godparents to their newest little one, Eli. Emma is our oldest son’s godmother. Friendships that started in 1994 have been solidified through our love of the Faith.

Cindy and Dio holding Eli, godparents Emma and Sal holding Javier

As my husband and I prepared to leave for the baptism on Saturday morning, I immediately remembered the only thing I could offer to do for this blessed sacrament. I brought my camera and took some pictures. And then I huffed the chrism because that’s how I roll. It’s like God’s cologne! There is just something so amazing about seeing a new little one being received into God’s family. So many senses are utilized – sight, sound {the sound of the conch filled with holy water being poured over their little heads}, touch – the blessing by the priest or deacon on the little ones, and smell – God’s cologne – chrism.