You Might Know of the Original Sin

Next Sunday, I will witness my niece being saved from “original sin”. To my kids, this is an interesting, if odd, custom. I expect Belly will stand right up at the vessel of water, peering at the priest with a bit of awe and interest, as she has done at previous christenings.


While Belly will be front and center, I will not. For although my sister values my relationship as aunt to her two children, I cannot be godparent to them. I grew up Catholic, but, much to my mother’s chagrin, am no longer part of that religion.

I will feel a bit self-conscious at this christening, as I did when my nephew was christened two years ago. Self-conscious because I imagine this conversation taking place at the church:

Distant Aunt: “Who is that standing up as godparents?”

Less Distant Aunt: “Oh, that is Mr & Mrs Q’s good friends, X and Y.

Distant Aunt: “I thought both had a sibling? Why aren’t they the godparents?”

Less Distant Aunt: “Well, Mr Q’s brother is a godless heathen, and Mrs Q’s sister is a (pause) U-Nee-Tary-An”.

Distant Aunt: “A what?!?”

Less Distant Aunt: “Oh, you know. . . those churches with the rainbow flags hanging off the front.”

Rather then let this imaginary conversation resonate in my head, I’ve decided to take a more proactive approach. I remember reading this post on Oh, The Joys, and it came to me: I am going to be Fairy Godmother to my niece and nephew.

Every year, on the date of their christening, I will think of something that tells them how important they are in my life and how important they are to this world. I haven’t quite come up with exact ideas yet, so any input would be welcome.

So now, during the upcoming christening, I will sit content in my self-anointed position of Fairy Godmother. I’m not yet sure if I will carry a wand.

I will also try to keep D from running up and down the aisles with his cousin, my nephew. And, I will watch as Jilly joins her big sister upfront until she realizes that the center aisle is an excellent place to practice her cartwheels.

Comments

  1. Mary Alice says

    Fairy God Mothers are marvelous. It takes a village of strong loving mentors to raise a child; each brings something unique to the life of the child. It seems limiting to choose but one “God Parent” or one that has all the right boxes checked according to the eyes of the church, life is more complex. – life according to Mary Alice – I may be struck with lightening later today!

  2. I think Fairy Godmother is an excellent idea!

    And as an added bonus, a funny:

    When I was growing up we were invited to the christening of my sister’s best friend’s new baby brother. My sister being Jewish didn’t have the faintest idea what a christening was, so she asked her friend who carefully explained that the priest has a mayonnaise jar full of water and at the christening he put the baby in the jar. It took weeks to persuade my sister that no one was going to shut the baby up in a jar!

  3. That’s a beautiful idea. You could give them a beautiful book every year on the anniversary of their Christening…
    When we had the Baby christened (after her terrifying first year) my brother-in-law WHO WAS IN TOWN did NOT attend. Um, I’m still offended.

  4. Blog Antagonist says

    I think that is a lovely idea. Aunt’s are very special people, and I’m sure that your neices and nephews will have wonderful memories of you always.

  5. Being a fairy godmother is great. I’m sure you’ll be more involved than the actual godparents (at least my kids godparents are not involved any more than anyone else).

  6. I love this. Good for Jessica.

    Remember, the same way your faith doesn’t dictate your morality, your church doesn’t dictate your commitment to the family in your life. Whether or not the church sees you as an “official” godparent, you can be the godparentiest person in the world.

    (and I am obnoxiously behind in telling you how great your blog looks.)

    (and I can’t believe you mentioned me dressed like Kriss Kross on that Mom Trap interview you did!)

  7. Alpha DogMa says

    On the scale of distasteful religious predilections, which is worse: godless heathen or rainbow-flag waving protestant?

    Good plan, Fairy God Mother. Don’t get your pixie dust in the baptismal font.

  8. I think I may love you.

  9. As a once Catholic, not Catholic anymore person, I can completely relate. I am sure there were several people at my nieces Christening wondering why I was GodMother, but you know, God Parents these days do really well the first year or two but slowly drift out of the picture….especially when they are not related.

    So umm, now you’ll have to be Fairy God Mother to your niece and nephew right? We woudln’t want to leave anyone out. 😉

    I am sure it won’t be a stretch for you to be a Fairy God Mother anyway, you already are an extremley thoughtful person.

  10. errr… that should have said I was NOT God Mother….

  11. nuttnbunny says

    You are a genius! And a few carwheels just may be what the whole shebang’s been missing all this time 🙂

  12. I think you should definitely carry a wand!!

  13. Laura McIntyre says

    What a wonderful idea, think i will be fairy god mother to my neice

  14. As a Catholic who feels like a fraud sitting in her church’s pews, this resonates with me. I cannot abide my faith (or really, I cannot abide its leaders and their archaic rules and regulations), but I cannot imagine leaving it either.

    Fairy godmother sounds like it kicks the butt of a regular ‘ol godmother anyway!

  15. pinks & Blues says

    I think that is a great idea! I am godmother to Audrey’s oldest son and to one of my brother’s daughters. To me, that means just doing something extra special for their birthdays and during the holidays. I think it’s sad that the church can dictate who can and who can’t – in their eyes – play this important role in children’s lives.

    Jane, Pinks & Blues

  16. pinks & Blues says

    I think that is a great idea! I am godmother to Audrey’s oldest son and to one of my brother’s daughters. To me, that means just doing something extra special for their birthdays and during the holidays. I think it’s sad that the church can dictate who can and who can’t – in their eyes – play this important role in children’s lives.

    Jane, Pinks & Blues

  17. pinks & Blues says

    I think that is a great idea! I am godmother to Audrey’s oldest son and to one of my brother’s daughters. To me, that means just doing something extra special for their birthdays and during the holidays. I think it’s sad that the church can dictate who can and who can’t – in their eyes – play this important role in children’s lives.

    Jane, Pinks & Blues

  18. pinks & Blues says

    I think that is a great idea! I am godmother to Audrey’s oldest son and to one of my brother’s daughters. To me, that means just doing something extra special for their birthdays and during the holidays. I think it’s sad that the church can dictate who can and who can’t – in their eyes – play this important role in children’s lives.

    Jane, Pinks & Blues

  19. pinks & Blues says

    I think that is a great idea! I am godmother to Audrey’s oldest son and to one of my brother’s daughters. To me, that means just doing something extra special for their birthdays and during the holidays. I think it’s sad that the church can dictate who can and who can’t – in their eyes – play this important role in children’s lives.

    Jane, Pinks & Blues

  20. pinks & Blues says

    I think that is a great idea! I am godmother to Audrey’s oldest son and to one of my brother’s daughters. To me, that means just doing something extra special for their birthdays and during the holidays. I think it’s sad that the church can dictate who can and who can’t – in their eyes – play this important role in children’s lives.

    Jane, Pinks & Blues

  21. pinks & Blues says

    I think that is a great idea! I am godmother to Audrey’s oldest son and to one of my brother’s daughters. To me, that means just doing something extra special for their birthdays and during the holidays. I think it’s sad that the church can dictate who can and who can’t – in their eyes – play this important role in children’s lives.

    Jane, Pinks & Blues

  22. pinks & Blues says

    I think that is a great idea! I am godmother to Audrey’s oldest son and to one of my brother’s daughters. To me, that means just doing something extra special for their birthdays and during the holidays. I think it’s sad that the church can dictate who can and who can’t – in their eyes – play this important role in children’s lives.

    Jane, Pinks & Blues

  23. pinks & Blues says

    I think that is a great idea! I am godmother to Audrey’s oldest son and to one of my brother’s daughters. To me, that means just doing something extra special for their birthdays and during the holidays. I think it’s sad that the church can dictate who can and who can’t – in their eyes – play this important role in children’s lives.

    Jane, Pinks & Blues

  24. pinks & Blues says

    I think that is a great idea! I am godmother to Audrey’s oldest son and to one of my brother’s daughters. To me, that means just doing something extra special for their birthdays and during the holidays. I think it’s sad that the church can dictate who can and who can’t – in their eyes – play this important role in children’s lives.

    Jane, Pinks & Blues

  25. pinks & Blues says

    I think that is a great idea! I am godmother to Audrey’s oldest son and to one of my brother’s daughters. To me, that means just doing something extra special for their birthdays and during the holidays. I think it’s sad that the church can dictate who can and who can’t – in their eyes – play this important role in children’s lives.

    Jane, Pinks & Blues

  26. Rock the Cradle says

    There are some in those rainbow flag churches who are godless heathens as well(right here). Talk about double your pleasure.

    Even “U-Nee-Tary-Ans” have a naming ceremony. Kind of like a welcome into the world celebration. Without the sin. (though some might disagree)

    Have fun, your Fairy Godmotherness!

  27. suburbancorrespondent says

    Will the baptism also remove those scary black blobs from everyone’s faces? I sure hope so.

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