Heaven Scent

“Were you educated by Jesuits?” the pastor at the Methodist Church asked me over coffee and French crullers.  I smiled, “No, Christian Brothers—they teach at La Salle.”  I took it as a compliment that he believed that I was Jesuit-educated, as they are phenomenal teachers much like the Christian Brothers.

We spoke of my parish, of his surprise at my attendance at Church even after my divorce, and of Catholicism’s lack of fellowship among parishioners. We spoke of my divorce and my decision not to pursue an annulment.  I liked him immediately; his wisdom and candor are something his parishioners are blessed to have.

It was community clean up day at the Church hosting Emily’s Girl Scout troop.  We used Murphy’s Oil Soap to clean the pews of the Chapel and the Sanctuary.  It reminded me of cleaning pews for the nuns in high school; they, too, used Murphy’s Oil Soap on their lacquered pews.  Must be what heaven smells like:  warm, inviting, and naturally clean.  After cleaning the pews and the woodwork, we disinfected the toys in the nursery and rearranged the furniture. 

We encouraged our three Girl Scouts to focus on their chores.  The girls made cleaning fun--they played the Church organ and took hot chocolate breaks.  They jumped in the leaves they raked outside, and as one Church member commented, “thoroughly enjoyed each others’ company.”  So did the adults--we scrubbed, wiped, laughed, and talked.  We learned about the Southwest’s penchant toward flattery of women and the many uses of duct tape.

“What are your plans for Thanksgiving?” the assistant leader asked.  “I’m making turkey for me and Emily this year.”  She invited me to dinner at her house, “The more the merrier—let me know by Tuesday.”  I smiled at the sincerity of her invitation, but the turkey is already defrosting in the fridge.  Truth be told, I can’t wait to hear the popping of the cranberries simmering on my own stove and to watch the cats smell the air in anticipation of the turkey roasting in the oven.  Clearly it’s one of the dominant smells in feline heaven.  After attending 8:30 AM Mass which is our tradition, we’re delivering blessed bread to our neighbors and writing holiday cards.

It was nice to be invited, and it’s the third invitation that I’ve received in two days.  Apparently Emily and I are popular guests.  However, even though we’re a small family, I’m looking forward to making Thanksgiving dinner for us.  As I explained to my Mother, it’s important for Emily to have memories of me making the holiday dinners, and my Mom always hosts the dinners.

My house needs to smell like a small corner of heaven, too.