Posted by:
sportsguy
(
)
Date: August 08, 2015 06:24PM
Today was the baptism of my youngest son. I left the church over a year ago, so my oldest son (a senior in high school) performed the baptism. (He and I have a great relationship where religion is concerned, and he understands me.) Anyway, about an hour before the service, my daughter comes back to my office in my house, and was upset. (This is my daughter who told me that she will not get married in a place where I cannot attend her wedding.) Her grandmother, my mother in law, told her she should not be wearing the dress she was wearing because horror upon horror, her shoulders were showing. I hugged her and told her we would get through this day.
I went to the service myself wearing a multi-colored, open-collared shirt, with a necklace I like, because I will wear what I want to wear. I was polite to the bishop (the one who told me being in the church is like a club, and I needed to follow the rules) and the other ward members who were there. I sat through the services, holding in my emotions. I had already told my little boy that despite the fact I have different religious views now, that I love him, and will always support him in life.
I sat and watched him confirmed by my father in law, and my mind flashed back to 3 years ago, when I was able to baptize my second-youngest son, but was told I could not confirm him because I did not hold a temple recommend. My anger was building. When it was over, I could not bear to stay for the meal my wife prepared, especially as I saw missionaries lurking in the church. Earlier I had declined going to help her set it up, and had told her that to me, this was not a day of celebration, and why could we have not just done a small meal here at home. I had my son take me home.
I am home now, and some of the people will think I am an ass, but I don't care. I went and supported my boy, and that's all that matters. I just hope my obnoxious sister in law doesn't eat all of the tasty pulled pork my wife is serving at the meal. :)