My little girl was christened this afternoon. She wore a simple, white, cotton dress. Yesterday, I washed a little white sweater that my Abuelita made for me before I was born, for her to wear, in case it was cold. There was a chill in the air. Last night, after she went to sleep, I made the meringue for a Pavlova. I whipped cream and cut strawberries all the while rehearsing in my head how I would put it all together the next day.
In Mexico christenings can be big celebrations with fancy dresses, lots of people and food. But today it was just us in a private ceremony and a small family celebration. I have grown quite fond of the private ceremony. It allows for me to be present, important milestones to be intimate and just more special. I am able to focus only on August and not become distracted by things that will not matter later. A lesson learned from reading and watching the play Our Town.
After the ceremony, the sun was too warm for sweaters but perfect for picnics and cookouts. We returned home and started preparing for her celebration. I took some photos of August by the lake, and we ate and laughed into the evening. A woodsy scent of balsam, sandalwood and some frankincense perfumed the air around August. It was the Holy Oils used in the ceremony, lingering. In the future, this scent will bring back August, only five days from turning six months old, and an afternoon spent with my lil love, and the beautiful Pavlova, the new, official family dessert.
