Wednesday, April 12, 2006

Easter Egg on My Face

I have a lot of Faith but not a lot of Religion. I know what beliefs I hold and feel it is a deeply personal decision for every person; including those people who choose to not believe in anything.
I respect all religions. Raised as a Baptist, I was active in my hometown church. My line of thinking does not agree with the formalities of Christianity, but that does not make me faith-less. Far from it. I have tried to find a church in the city but cannot seem to find one that feels comfortable.
My MIL (mother-in-law) is Catholic and is under the notion that because I am not Catholic, I have no beliefs. I have respect for Catholicism even though I do not agree with much of the interpretations or doctrine. The Mister has tried to explain to MIL that not being Catholic does not mean ‘not Christian’.
This weekend is Easter. MIL asked The Mister if he would like to go to church with her.

*A little back-story. MIL goes to church a lot. She is always late; you know, one of those people. If she misses her regular mass, she will attend the Spanish mass –even though she can’t speak a lick of Spanish. The Mister has all but denounced Catholicism; yes, he’s one of those people. He does not go to church and has expressed no desire to set foot into one.*

MIL told The Mister I was welcome to come too, even though “I don’t know what she is”. Five years. FIVE YEARS. The Mister and I have been together for five years. I’ve told her many times my religious history; it was a major reason she would not speak to The Mister for a few months before we got married. I am not Catholic; which apparently means a blood-sucking, night-dwelling heathen.

*More back story –actually not, it’s just something I’d like to point out. MIL also does not know how old I am. No joke.*

I guess what I’m getting at is I’ve tried so hard. It’s more than MIL not knowing, it’s that she’s never bothered. If you asked her, she would probably say I’m a terrible DIL. I’ve tried so hard but she did not like me right from the start. I’ve worn clothes she’s given me; things I would never wear –things with bows for Pete’s sake! I’m reserved around her, and I am not a reserved person. I’ve gone places with her and in general, just tried so hard.
I know she doesn’t like me. It’s not just Me, it would have been any girl who took her boy away. It doesn’t make me feel any better. It’s still a rejection. It’s hurtful that five years into it, she can’t tell you my religion or age.
Sunday is still up in the air and I don’t know if I’m going to go or stay home. I want The Mister to go no matter what; I’m just unsure of what I’m going to do.
Maybe I'll go and upon setting foot into the church, I'll burst into flames!
*Btw, MIL has enormous hair. She's a tiny woman with huge 1968 hair. She looks like a Q-tip. I just needed to put that out there. If I burst into flames and she's standing close, I bet her hair would (at the very least) singe.*

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