The Cake Thief. Part One.

My Son Daniel and his girlfriend Claudette wanted to get their Son Darius Christened and after that have a Party!!! I was apprehensive about the party afterwards. What would happen if it went out of my control? There’d be people there I don’t know, would anyone get drunk and disorderly? And how would that reflect on me and my side of the family? But, without me going into details, you need to read between the lines.

The Christening was suggested last year and I didn’t push the issue, even though I thought it was a good idea. I did think maybe I would like to have Darius Christened at my Place of Worship, properly…… so I’d know he was ‘done’ properly, for if we are all honest, we think our way is the best way.

So, the date was eventually set, and Claudette wanted to know how many would be attending the party, so the refreshments could be sorted for the people who would be going. I was told by Claudette that, it didn’t matter how many was coming to the party, but the Vicar had mentioned that the Church of England Church could only hold a certain amount as other babies would be Christened on the same day, at the same Service.

I’d started taking baby Darius to my Place of Worship and when I knew the date was set I asked my Vicar if she would say a quick prayer of Blessing on Darius, in private at the end of the Service, she said, “I’d be happy to,” So at the end of the Service, she came over to were little Darius was in his pram next to me and putting her hand on his precious little head, she prayed a lovely Blessing over him. I was happy that he was now ‘done.’   

Now the time was 3pm at the Church and the Party was 7.30pm I invited my family, all who live approximately nine miles away or more, I told then the information from the Vicar about the space, but that the party was open to all, most wanted to come to both, but the time in between, what would they do, where would they go?? I mentioned this to Claudette, that the time difference, the gap was too great, it was OK for her family as they all live locally. For I said, “Usually the Christening is in the morning Service at about 10 or 11am then straight after is the party.” She said, “I’ll sort it.”

In the meantime, Claudette tried to book a room for the party. The place she had in mind, sounded perfect, but the Woman whose number she was given said, “Please ring after 7pm,” But each time she phoned, there was no reply. The Christening day was fast approaching with less than five days to go, one of Claudette’s friend said, “My friend, her Dad has a hall, it’s eight miles from here and if he agrees, you can have it for free!” Claudette, added, “That would also be better for your family, it would be nearer to where they live,” I said, “But that would be too far away for your family, but we do need a hall and quickly, plus free is good.” I found out the next day after some enquires that the hall eight miles away was not available! What I wondered would happen if nothing got booked for Christening Day, my stress levels was rising a bit, although it wasn’t my event, my family would be looking to me….. most had not yet met my grandson Darius, this would be their first time meeting him. I did try not to worry, but worry I did.

Then three days before Christening day, Claudette told me, “I’ve booked a hall,” It was here where we lived, boy was I relieved! The addresses and times were sent out, by now I’d explained to her about the gap that it was too wide, so the hall was booked for 4.30pm which was basically straight after the Service. Perfect, I thought, for within a few days some of my family had changed their minds, of which venue they were going to as the time scale was too much, a lot more had chosen to go to the Christening instead, so to now have it straight after was better for those who would be travelling miles to get there, they’d be able to go to both events, instead of just one.

I’d decided to get Darius a voucher from Tesco, as ours is big with a wide range for food and baby things, so that was from Paul and myself.

The Christening day arrived, I’d been nervous as to what to expect as I’d been the go-be-tween for all the commutations for the times, date and importantly numbers for the party from my side of the family, would they all remember? I wanted to text them before I went out, but it would have been too early for most I’d assume, as it was a Sunday morning after all. I’d left my Place of Worship as they started to sing the last song, as I had errands, I had to do before the Christening at 3pm.

I took two people in my car, my sister in law Big Hannah and her daughter Little Hannah, my car with its doggy locks decided to play up today of all days and the doors behind me, and the door behind the front passenger seat, would not open! So, in a very undignified why, with the front passenger seat pulled forward a tad, as far as it would go, all of two inches and the back of the front passenger seat, with the turn of the side of the handle, moved very slightly, slanted forward toward the front windscreen, Paul squeezed himself into the back with a slim Little Hannah following him through the tiny gap!  We got there in plenty of time, even finding a parking place right outside the Church!

It was lovely and warm inside which did surprise me, as I’ve been to quite a few Church of England churches in the past, and in the summer, they are cold inside! It was very well organized with the names for each four babies that was to be christened, the baby name was clearly showing, in the pews so the families for that baby knew exactly where to sit, so baby Darius his family and friends were all sat together, and likewise all the other three families too. There was an air of excitement, as we saw people arrive and hugs all round, it was lovely, people were introduced, “This is my Mother,” “Lovely, hello, pleased to meet you.” Claudette looked wonderful, as did my Son. It was great to see SO many of my family and friends who had made the journey over.

The Service started at 3pm and the Vicar welcomed us all. He gave an interesting short talk of Jesus been baptized by John who was the baptizer and he mentioned the Holy Spirit coming down from Heaven in the form as a Dove. There were sections on a card for the Vicar to read and in bold a line for us all to read, it did make me think again, how when we were reading the line in unison that the congregation and the baby were saying they are Church of England for life! Did it mean that? I assume so.

Darius was third to be Christened the other two babies before him, didn’t cry when their heads were wet, would he let the side down? No, he was SO alert looking around and at the Vicar with knowledge in his young face, the Vicar had to comment, “He’s having a good look around and looking at me, he’s very alert,” We his family chuckled. He didn’t cry when his hair was wet. He was handed back to his Mum. The forth baby was crying before he got to the Vicar, so it was to be expected that she cried, which made us all smile. After the god Parents and Parents stood at the front and each four families was given a lit candle each in a holder. To light the Babies Path, I did think that was a nice touch, but it made me nervous with Health & Safety, hoping that no one would trip or get hair burnt. But I needn’t have worried, all was well, we who were watching was now invited to come forward and take photos, a few did, and I did too.

Outside the Church, there was happy chatter and more hugs, then we slowly made our way to the hall.

The hall was lovely, lots of tables for people to choose where to sit, and after about thirty minutes it was announced the buffet was open, it was a wonderful spread! It was in a tiny separate room to the side, before leaving the room I made sure I got my little chocolate cake in its own little wrapper, with deep chocolate butter icing with a rolled-up cylinder of chocolate on the top! There were other cakes like donuts and cookies, and even other cakes but I chose the best one! 

At events like this, I always think of the Tower of Babel, where Mankind had tried to build a Tower to Heaven but God stopped them and they then went off into groups, they found those who spoke the same language as them and all went their separate ways. Well this is what it was like now, all those who knew each other sat in their groups.

I didn’t know everyone there for I didn’t know half of Claudette’s family and was introduced to them for the first time, I told them, “I am Daniel’s Mum.”