the hug

Grip’s baptism was captured on video. Note that when he comes up, he gives Pastor Mark a hug, and the entire congregation says “Awww…” Mark walked him down the aisle to our family and said, “Griffin, you brought two whole pews of family to be with you…” …then he walked past, into the congregation, and said, “These people are your family too. They will always be here to love and support you, no matter what happens.” He said some other stuff too, all of it beautiful, but I can’t recall exactly as I was struggling with a huge lump in my throat. Grip was grinning and laughing the whole time. It was, to my mind, everything good about organized religion — and I’m not a big fan — all wrapped into one. It couldn’t have been more perfect.