Observing the day

Today is Shrove Tuesday or Fat Tuesday as some would call it.  It is the last day before Holy Mother Church blesses with the penitential season of Lent.  When my kids were little we observed the day in various ways, with the traditional pancakes, sumptious feasts before the Lenten fast and other such treats.  Now there aren't so many at home to celebrate with and spoil as well.  That doesn't mean that we let the day go unnoticed though.  Layn got all dressed up in his second best and when we went out to take Uncle Matthew to work we went to the China Buffet for lunch. Then grandma took him to the thrift store in town and bought him a new toy tractor.  Tomorrow we will be annointed with blessed ashes and reminded of our mortality and our sinfulness.  Though Layn is too young to enter fully into the practices of Lent I am sure he will notice the lack of desserts and TV time in our house.  He will also be a part of the deepening of our prayer life in his own little way.  The Incarnation is for him as well as for the adults who understand what Lent is about.

Remember man that thou art dust and to dust thou shalt return.