Thursday, October 8, 2009

They're Like God's Personal Rules For Us...

Picking up Andrew from chatechism this week, his teacher tells me they reviewed the 10 Commandments.

So, while we're driving home I probe. All good parents probe to a degree. I usually don't get much in return, but this night was a completely different story.

Mama Janko: "So, Mr. Hamilton said that you guys talked about the 10 Commandments tonight in class. What'd you think?"

Andrew: "Well, first we played football with this little nerf ball. It was cool cause if you threw it hard enough and close enough to your victim, it really packed a punch. But yeah, we eventually talked about Jesus's little rules."

Mama Janko: "So what do you remember about the rules? Do you remember any specific ones?"

Andrew: Well, first off you shouldn't be concerned with what everyone else has. Even if the kid down the street has way better Pokemon cards than you do, just let it go. LET IT GO, Mom. It's not worth getting uptight about."

Mama Janko: "Of course. Because "things" can't make you happy. For me, my family makes me happy. I feel blessed to have you and Katherine and Dad and my sisters and parents in my life."

Andrew: "Okay, but sometimes do those people piss you off? I know Katherine does cause I hear you say under your breath, "God better give me the strength to handle this one." I know it's not you, Mom. She's an animal sometimes. She could drive anyone crazy."

Mama Janko: (trying to diffuse the situation): "I am blessed thatmy family is healthy."

Andrew: "Okay, here's the other one. Don't be all interested in married men. And be especially careful with this in our neighborhood. You know who is married, Mom. And you know that you should let those people stay married. Don't try to date the husband. You have Dad and you should be happy with him. And the same goes for Dad. He needs to realize that he is stuck with you forever. If you start getting interested in married people, things can get all jacked up."

Mama Janko: "Right. Just leave the married people alone. They are happy and nobody should interfere."

Andrew: "See Mom, you understand adultery, don't you?"

Mama Janko: "So did Mr. Hamilton talk about obeying your mom and dad?"

Andrew: "I feel like I understand all of these rules. And I'm pretty much over it. At this point, I really want to know when I can wear one of those robes and go on the altar and hold the bible for the priest to read out of during mass? Oh, and I asked Mr. Hamilton, if that is wine that you guys are drinking when you go up for Holy Communion. He told me it was. So I want to know if Dad sells wine to our priest? Cause that would be really weird. But if he doesn't, he should talk to his boss about gettin that account. He could do tastings with the priest and upsell him."