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“I had completely forgotten how amazing it is to be in sititng in the pews at worship in our church. Music from our organ, choir and hundreds of fellow parishioners surrounded us, engulfing us with the soothing and exciting sounds of traditional hymns. In the cry room area, the music is heard mainly through the speaker; beautiful yes, but not the same experience.

“Soon it was time to participate in communion and we dutifully got up and followed our row toward the front of the church. Only a minor glitch, we were not on our Pastor’s side of the church and Samantha will only take communion from Father Joe if he is there, so we had to ‘jump’ lines, but no one even seemed to notice.

“We got back to our pew and I struggled to overcome my emotions. Tears fell down my face as I realized that we would actually make it through the whole Mass, like any typical family! Could it really be so?

“Yes, as the last hymn rang out, we again enjoyed the experience of being awash in music one last time. And as those young children, having just received their First Holy Communion, filed out ahead of our Pastor, I quietly rejoiced in an important first of our own.

“This may have just been one in many, many Sunday Masses to come, but I will never forget it. My daughter is growing up and growing in her faith, as am I. Alleluia, Alleluia. Thanks be to God.”

Rick Polston is a teacher of students with disAbilities for Suffolk Public Schools. English and Language Arts are his preferred content areas to teach. His favorite pastime is journaling his travel adventures and singing.