Maybe — now that I’m going to become a children’s book author — my blog should become more respectable? I hope not. But just in case, I’m sharing this post before Myrtle is published!
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The “Ungodly Godmother” of one of our children drove hours on her first day off work to visit me after my recent mishap.
Time spent with her is a gift. She’s caring, smart, and makes us laugh. Updates about her life, her town, mutual friends — are all told in witty, ironic and ‘salty’ language.
It’s partly why our children have always loved her. The laughter. And because she was that rare adult who didn’t clean up her language when they entered a room. Thus the name she gave herself: “The Ungodly Godmother”.
Before she left our home this time, she autographed my cast.
Not that I could see it clearly. Too far down the cast, near my heel.
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We hadn’t been to church since I fell and injured myself. I’ve missed the quiet Sunday morning rituals, the readings from the old Book of Common Prayer, in our tiny historic chapel.
So my husband and I were grateful when the priest called, offering to bring us communion.
Father Tim spread a handkerchief-size white tablecloth on our coffee table, then placed two tiny gold jars on it, his prayer book to one side. He read a prayer for the sick, and Hamlin and I followed along as he read. He opened one gold jar and gave us the wafer (the bread), then opened the other and anointed our foreheads with consecrated oil.
The sacred ceremony complete, we got to talking about light and pleasant topics. You know: politics, journalism, original sin.
Before he left, I asked him to sign my cast.
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“There’s room next to Liona’s.” My husband pointed to the space next to Liona Boyd’s signature and drawing of her guitar.
She’s a famous classical guitarist and Father Tim, a fan of her music, happily placed his signature near hers, complete with the sign of the cross.
Days later, I saw my husband’s photos of the cast and made a surprising discovery.
To the right of Father Tim’s signature was Liona’s — yes. But to the near-left was the message from our dear friend, The Ungodly Godmother.
It said, simply: “Get this effing thing off!”
“Do you think he noticed?” I anxiously asked my husband.
“Don’t worry”, he said. “He’s a priest. He’s seen a lot worse.”
The Ungodly Godmother had struck again.
Cynthia Reyes 
Wonderful “cast” of characters. Once again, you’ve shown us your humble and humorous side. Thanks for another laugh Cynthia. Personally, I’d love to meet your ungodly godmother. 🙂
Thank you, my friend. You’d like her!
I already do! 🙂
Your blog posts always elevate! Loved this one.
Thank you, Marilyn!
Yet another funny story! Love them,
Oh, goody!
Giggling here in South Florida, carry on!
I am ‘carrying on’ (as my mother would say), aren’t I? Ya gotta find the humour in all this, right? glad your area is safe from the hurricane and hoping it stays that way, Amy.
That’s great, my mother would have said the same thing. And thanks for the hurricane wishes!
I already love your friendly god-mother 🙂
I hear you, sister. She’s a good egg!
Now you’re going to have to find a way to save and display that cast.
I think you’re right. It tells a story or two!
Marie Wilson, C.M., O.N.W.T., M.S.C. Commissioner TRC of Canada 2009-15
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Oh my, that’s hilarious, Cynthia! 🙂
Not at first, but it quickly became so, Jill!
Greetings again dear Cynthia. Two wonderful blogs in a row. I also love your ungodly godmother & love the story of your missing crutch! Hope to see you & Hamlin again one day. How about a book of short stories after “Myrtle the Turtle”. You would be wonderful at that as you generally are in all things. I love reading your blogs, thank you so much!
You kind person, you! Thanks, dear Sandra. And what a great idea! Take good care of yourselves, and my best to your wonderful guy.
I am guessing God would think this was a great joke. 🙂
Me too!
Like a good storyteller you left the revelation to the end
Thank you!
She sounds like quite a gal! And that’s one snappy cast, with the various signatures and artwork.
She’s quite a gal indeed. I decided to keep the cast, but not on my leg!
Such a funny coincidence. I’m sure Father Tim knows you well enough to know you have friends of all makeups and was not shocked. As for the Ungodly Godmother….she’s my type of person 🙂
Hi Tina: thank you! Our regular priest would likely have had a hoot if she saw it — but this was our summer replacement priest, and I was trying to be on my best behaviour!
I’m sure your priest would agree with the ‘Ungodly Godmother’s’ sentiment 😆.
I don’t know him well, Helen, (he was filling in for the summer) but I wouldn’t be surprised!
Those are just the very best friends to have . . . because they always keep you guessing in the best possible way:).
That’s so true, K!
Too funny .. a naughty godmother 🙂
She cracks me up.
I can see why your daughters love the Ungodly Godmother and why you chose her! I am so pleased you were able to take Communion – a beautiful yet simple ceremony.
It was a real gift to us, Clare — as I know you understand – to get prayed for and to take communion here in our home at a time we really needed it.
Good to have contrasting and complementing relationships in life.
– Oscar (God Father Emeritus to my wife’s Godson, as the actual Godfather faded away some years ago and her Godson said I knew more about religion, philosophy and life than anyone else he knew… I take my job seriously in a snarky way).
Such a wise man, you are, The Snarky Godfather!
She sounds like a wonderful and very interesting person with a huge heart, Cynthia! You are blessed to have her in your life. 🙂
I am indeed, Lavinia! Thank you.
Not only was Father Tim not offended, I suspect, but it probably gave him a chuckle. Hey, he’s people, too! Glad you had such uplifting and good-humored people – in whatever order. 🙂 – in each of them to visit and keep you company.
Thank you. Good point!
The ungodly godmother sounds like great fun – I’m sure life is interesting with those kind of surprises 🙂
She always makes for interesting visits, that’s for sure.
The ungodly godmother sounds like everything I aspire to being in a person! 😉
Thanks for the chuckle.
You made me grin, MT. You and she — with your wonderful sense of humour and your ‘side-view’ of things, would get along well.
She really sounds fun! And thank you. 🙂
Thanks, MT. I’ve also read your tribute to Kate twice and my heart gets too full each time, so I will read it again and reply. Meantime, my friend, thank you so very much for writing such a beautiful post about our friend Kate. I still don’t seem able to believe it.
Thank you. It was a while before I could write one because my heart was full too and I wanted to do her justice.