A few days ago I was exiting the church offices and saw Father McGinnis in the vestibule. He was preparing to leave, as well, but he was standing near a small table, the top of which was open like the lid to a chest. I had never noticed that it opened before, and for a split second, it appeared as though he was gathering belongings he has stashed near the door for his convenience.

In reality, he had also noticed for the first time that the table opened and simply wanted to see what, if anything, was inside. But the initial impression called me back, back…

…back to a time when our son Trevor was little and loved to run around the house shirtless. Jodi always insisted (and rightly so) that the kids arrive at kitchen table for meals fully clothed, and the boys, in particular had to be reminded:

“Kids, it’s time to eat!” Jodi would call. “Boys, make sure you are wearing shirts.”

“And pants,” I might add, just for the giggles.

One day Jodi called them in just this manner. She was finishing setting the table, and happened to look up to see Trevor, shirtless, in the living room. She watched as he reached under a couch cushion and pulled out a t-shirt, which he then quickly donned for dinner.

He turned to see his mother watching him. She was laughing, no doubt.

“What are you doing?” she asked. “Did you put that there?”

With an embarrassed smile, Trev explained that he didn’t want to have to run downstairs to get a shirt every time she called, so he stashed some around the house: in the sofa, under the futon…wherever might be convenient for a little boy on the go!