Breaking News: Pale Male's Mother Passed Away
Pale Male had been in Mississippi for a week and something made me text him last Friday night to check-in with him. He responded that he was feeling a little numb, and, was returning to New York City on Saturday, but, I still wasn't clear what his mother's condition was. It was sort of left hanging.
His absence was acutely felt once again as another Saturday Kitchen rolled around. I only know it because of my involvement with Altar Guild which requires me to come in by at least 10:30 to set up Communion for two Sunday morning masses and Intersection.
It was the Prayers of the People, read the next morning at 10:00 service that confirmed our worst fears: the reader announced a woman bearing Pale Male's surname among the list of the recently departed.
It made me wish I had prayed harder for her, that she had been more a part of my dizzy, forgetful thoughts throughout the week. And, of course, it reminded me of my own family's ordeal at the end of August - and the fact that it could be revisited at almost any moment.
His absence was acutely felt once again as another Saturday Kitchen rolled around. I only know it because of my involvement with Altar Guild which requires me to come in by at least 10:30 to set up Communion for two Sunday morning masses and Intersection.
It was the Prayers of the People, read the next morning at 10:00 service that confirmed our worst fears: the reader announced a woman bearing Pale Male's surname among the list of the recently departed.
It made me wish I had prayed harder for her, that she had been more a part of my dizzy, forgetful thoughts throughout the week. And, of course, it reminded me of my own family's ordeal at the end of August - and the fact that it could be revisited at almost any moment.