Behind the Scenes at Roman's Blessing

I leave my office in a rush. It is already 9:00. Maybe my counselors would be on the stand. . . ready to start. . . just waiting for me. Nope. I don't see either of them. They are still scrambling. Last minute preparations. Sometimes I wish I could just sit and enjoy sacrament meeting - just show up and be fed - rather than cooking the meal. . .  or serving it . . . or however you want the metaphor to go. It is my calling to worry about every little detail. Even on my son's blessing day.

There's my family. Filling two entire rows. Collectively traveling thousands of miles to be here today. I don't have time to really acknowledge them. Sharon comes up to me, going out of her way to give me a hug and let me see Roman in his carefully chosen blessing outfit - the moment is nice, but quick. I'm going through my mental pre-game checklist. Prelude organ music is playing - check - although not by our regular organist. Someone else is filling in, spur of the moment. Sacrament is set up - check - although it looks like the lace table cloth was put down first under the trays and the solid table cloth lay over them. "Is there bread under there this time?" I ask the lone priest at the table. He nods "You can check if you'd like." He remembers lifting the cloth a few weeks ago ready to break the bread only to find five empty bread trays staring right back at him.

The chorister isn't present. It is already a few minutes after 9:00. So far only one deacon has shown up to pass the sacrament. A good three quarters of those who will eventually fill the chapel are not here yet. They are arriving in the parking lot and stuck at a light down the street, and just leaving home. At least the late ones will never know that we are starting late, I remind myself. I tend to obsess about starting on time. Maybe because the Bishop before me obsessed about starting on time. . . or maybe because obviously no one else does. . .

My first counselor is conducting today. I find him on the stand and do a quick assessment. "Are those the correct hymns?" I ask pointing to the placard on the wall. "No I tried calling our chorister earlier but she hasn't returned my calls." "Well do you want to get with the organist and pick out some hymns?" He quickly moves to the organist to pick out some hymns. The prelude music stops while they talk. The silence accentuates the fact that we are clearly not prepared this morning.

I'm looking for the portable microphone in preparation for the blessing. . . oh yeah, and we have a confirmation. Where is Paul? Doesn't look like he is here yet. I locate the microphone but the cord is missing. My second counselor is up on the stand now. I send him to look for it. "Check the library," I tell him and he runs off.

The hymn numbers are in place now the prelude music has resumed. My first counselor returns and I send him off yet again to find a chorister to fill in. My second counselor returns empty handed. "Wasn't in the library." "Check with the other ward's Bishopric." He leaves again.

We are running 5 minutes late now. A chorister has been found and I'm running through a few announcements with my first counselor. We are changing the Relief Society presidency today and I want to make sure he has all the names correct. My second counselor returns with the microphone cord. "I don't know why it was in their clerks office."

"Alright let's get started," I indicate, and my first counselor gathers his notes and begins the meeting. I take a deep breath. I can relax slightly now. There is still only one deacon ready to pass the sacrament and one priest on the stand to bless. Paul still hasn't shown up for his confirmation.  But members are steadily strolling in during the opening hymn.

The announcements and sustaining go quickly and then suddenly it is time to bless Roman. I meet Sharon half way down the aisle and take Roman into my arms. He is calm and quiet. I hope that everyone else I've asked to be in the circle comes because I don't even look around to make sure. I trust that the microphone has been plugged in and is working because that detail has left my mind. My entire focus is on my son.

I step into place and the circle closes in around Roman. I realize at that moment that I have so far given no thought into what I might say in the blessing. I close my eyes - not tight, but I feel the solid weight of my eyelids sealing out the distractions and details outside, blocking the noise and the running checklist in my mind. With one hand under Roman and one hand on my father's shoulder I can sense nothing physical outside of that Priesthood circle. There is a singular focus. I'm no longer rushing rushing rushing. But time seems to slow.

I bless him with health and a long life. A long life of service to God and man. I pause for inspiration which is followed by words. I bless him with wisdom and faith. I can sense his potential. I can see what may become. I bless him to one day serve in the priesthood, to serve as a missionary, to serve in the temple. I bless him to be a follower of Christ and a leader of men. I bless him that he will uplift and inspire. That he will be a good son and brother and friend. I know that the Lord is perfectly poised, ready to pour down numberless blessings to him and anyone else that will acknowledge them and receive them. I end the blessing and open my eyes and the physical world comes back into view. The circle breaks leaving just me and Roman for a moment.

I return to the stand still feeling the exhilarating sensation of the Spirit. We are ready to begin the sacrament hymn. I take a look and we are still short one Aaronic priesthood holder to pass the sacrament. I consider nudging my second counselor and asking him to go grab someone but just then walks in another family. The 16 year old youth sits on the back row. He looks up and I make eye contact with him. I nod my head in the direction of the sacrament table. He understands and comes up to fill the final spot. I check that one final thing off my mental sacrament meeting checklist and then the tug of war of responsibilities shifts back to my family for a moment as I look down at my wife and our son that she holds in her arms.