The Powell Family Chronicles: Brantley's Baptism

Brantley's baptism was on Sunday, May 23, 2010 during the 10:30am service at Trinity Episcopal Church. It was one of the happiest days of my life. I have been putting off writing about it because I just can't seem to find the words to express how perfectly dreamlike the day made me feel. To start with it was Pentecost Sunday, so that in and of itself is a miraculous day in the church year, and Bishop Duncan Gray was the Celebrant of the service. He was visiting from Jackson and presided over the Baptisms, Confirmations, and one Reception during the service. So now you can imagine the families & friends in attendance for Candidates in addition to the people there to see the Bishop, and then the regular 10:30 service goers. It was a packed house. Now know that we have been in a bit of heat wave for the month of May...so to make this the most memorable of days...the air conditioning wasn't working. I don't mean it was in overdrive & not cooling well because there were just so many people, it was NOT working! The only cool you were getting was from the fanning of your bulletin. And our pew was losing bulletins fast as the destruction of them turned out to be a "quiet pastime" for Brantley during the service. She really did keep herself well occupied until it was time for the ceremony. Her Daddy and I, and her Godparents Jennifer & Briggs, presented her as a Candidate for the Sacrament of Holy Baptism and she was blessed by the water and marked with oil as one of God's own forever. Like I said, one of the happiest days of my life...She greeted the Bishop with her signature bottom lip pout when he reached to hold her to bless her with the water & oil. That caused quite a bit of laughter and was a moment I have burned into my memory. Forever I hope. Now being a baptized person and welcome at God's table, she went with us when it was time to receive the Eucharist. Kris knelt while holding her and when the wine was presented to him, he dipped his wafer in & then dabbed it on Brantley's little lips. I kid you not, my heart melted down to my toes...I can cry right now just remembering it. I would pay a zillion dollars to have a photo of that moment.
It was a beautiful service, a beautiful day, and we have a beautiful & blessed life that I try to be thankful for everyday...

Happy Family