Uncommon Communion

We all have those moments in life where we think that would be funny if they happened on a sitcom. But they are actually happening to you, in your life, and one day they will be funny…

I had started the day with quiet meditation and content contemplation. It was a special day and I wanted to savor it, appreciate it and enjoy the beautiful wonder of it. I had been studying and preparing for it for several months and it was here. My Confirmation and First Communion into the Catholic Church.

After getting my hair done (because I am a bit vain and I wanted to make sure I looked good in any pictures). However, it’s monsoon season here in Texas, so I should have known. But the rest of the events could not have been predicted.

I was running a few minutes late, as usual, when I noticed the RPMs going up but the speed going down. This isn’t good, especially in a manual. Shifting gears didn’t help either, and actually made it worse. I had already let the man know it might be the transmission and I was hoping to be able to make it to the church where he and several others were waiting. And then, it happened. The clutch. Went. Out.

No problem. I called the man and let him know the situation – I’ll just get a tow truck and an Uber. I would be there a little later than I thought, but still in time. The two and Uber would be there within 5 minutes of each other. Twenty minutes later, neither had shown up. The Uber was late and the tow was lost, and it was pouring down rain the likes I had not seen since the last hurricane. And my neighbor called asking if that was me on the side of the road – did I need a ride. No, I told her, because soon the Uber would be there.

And when the Uber arrived and found out that I had to wait for the tow, he promptly told me that he could not wait and kicked me out of the car – in the pouring monsoon rain. And the tow was still lost. I called the wonderful neighbor that yes, I did need a ride. She said she would be right there – except that traffic was backed up because of a huge accident and she was trying to get to me but she couldn’t. But she was trying and would be there as soon as she could.

By this time I was crying. texting my man to please tell the priest what was happening. How was I going to make it? And what are the chances – the clutch breaks, the tow truck is lost, the Uber can’t wait, the friend and neighbor is trying to get me but is tuck in traffic, AND I am soaking wet. My hair dripping with rain water, make up washed and cried off, the nice outfit wrinkled and soaked. A drowned rat looked better. And my sweet wonderful man reassuring me that there was time, that the priest would make it work no matter how late I was.

And my man was right. Somehow it all worked out. The tow truck arrived to pick up the car. My friend got there and picked me up. And there was someone to greet me and walk me into the service when we arrived. It worked out. I was confirmed and had communion. With my man by my side. And my friend there with me. And my friends in the church, witnessing this event in my life.

Because that is the thing about life, you can’t do it alone. No matter how independent you are, you are still not an island. And you are blessed to have those in your life who will be there for you. look after you, reassure you, and help you.

There was, unfortunately, no help for my hair though. That was a mess on steroids.