Baptism

Today we finally had Denis' baptism. I say finally because we have had a date multiple times, and then something has come up, or someone has come down with something and we've had to postpone and rebook. But finally everything was in place and all the essential players were hale and healthy.
It was a frantic morning for me though. I had to get Denis and myself and my brother out of the house and over to my sister's group home where I then had to get my sister dressed and out. And this had to be done so we could get to the church prior to 2 in the afternoon. I was so frantic, I just feared we'd be late for my son's baptism. We actually arrived at the church at 1:30, the final mass of the day hadn't finished when we pulled into the church parking lot.

I had only invited a few people for the day. Prior to meeting Denis, I'd dreamt of a very large baptism. But once I had Denis home I began to realize that life isn't so much about me and more about Denis and his needs. And then there is the reality that both my son and sister just need me, and I can't be there for both of them and host a huge celebration.

Denis was excited about the baptism, and excited meant running around. And I mean a ton of running around. Father came out to say we would be beginning in 2 minutes and suddenly Denis runs behind a large group of people coming into the church and he is gone. I was in a panic. The church vestibule was empty. He wasn't in the church. I motion to my brother to ask if Denis had run back to the pew where we were sitting, but no. Finally I heard him in the basement of the church. He had gone down the stairs and was waiting for the elevator to bring him upstairs.

During the baptism, Denis was loud. Screaming, talking, squirming and kicking the pew. With Denis there were 6 other children being baptised. 3 were wee tiny babies and three were older girls, but all of them were QUIET. It was overwhelming for Denis. We were also sitting in the front pew instead of our usual back pew, which totally confused Denis. But when it came to the important parts of the ceremony he was perfect. He was still and quiet for the annoiting and he truly enjoyed the actual baptising.

I had four favourite moments from the day. Denis asked me to dance at one point and insisted that we do a little waltz (at that point I'd do anything to keep him calm and quiet at that point). During a quiet moment, when Father was anointing all the children, Denis started screaming at his uncle that he couldn't hear what Uncle John was saying and could he speak louder. Just as I lifted Denis back up at the font from the baptism, my sister announced that it was time to go out and eat. And finally, at the end of the ceremony I was given the baptismal certificate, and Denis wanted to see what it said and I had to read it to him while he sat on his uncle's shoulder.

After the baptism we went to Montana's restaurant for a late lunch/early dinner. It was Denis' first experience in a sit down restaurant. It was a wonderful experience. Denis had gifts to open and people to visit with. My sister enjoyed having lunch out at one of her favourite restaurants with sone of her favourite people. And my friends and family had a great time.

He was as good as gold for this, and this font is one of Denis' favourite things at our church.

Denis and his Godparents: my best friend Anna and my brother John

Myself, my sister Kathryn, Godmother Anna, Godfather Uncle John and Denis.

The most emotional point of the day was hearing Denis being baptised with both the names I'd chosen and the name his birth mother had chosen. At the beginning of the ceremony, we were asked what name we have chosen. Most parents mentioned one name. I said all three of his names, as it was so important to me to honour and remember his birth mother at this so very important occasion.