As a child my happiest memories were of Sundays.  It was the one day my father did not work and I loved seeing him in his suits at church.  I also loved hearing my mother sing and can remember going down for the children’s sermon before I was old enough to serve as an acolyte.  We always went to the cafeteria afterwards.  Sundays served as the framework of my life; they were never forced and always happy.  I loved the church’s stained glass, the hymns, and being with my family.  Mama and Daddy always held hands and I remember thinking what a striking couple they made:  my mother with her beautiful red hair and light brown eyes and my father with his thick black hair and striking dark blue eyes.  I often studied the contrast in their clasped hands.  My father’s were huge and red while my mother’s were tiny and white.  Now that I am a mother, I want the same security and structure for my child.  My husband and I always enjoy holding hands just as my folks did.  I have seen our little one taking note of that and giving a happy little smile.  Recently our church started a children’s sermon.  I have no idea whether or not Episcopalians have traditionally done that or if it is something new; I was reared Methodist.  And yes I slid down “our” pew to shamelessly snap this photo of our little one answering a question concerning the Anglican “Mothering Sunday.”  Our Marian child replied that the Virgin Mary was the Mother of the Church.  I was proud she was listening and responding with enthusiasm.  My great love of the Church is the reason I wrote and published my first book on Christian Symbols at age of eleven.  I confess I do hope that the same love of Christian liturgy, music, and Scripture will seep into her soul at a very early age the way it did mine.  That does mean to suggest in any way an intolerance toward others; rather I pray it should serve to strengthen her own compassion and beliefs.  In the New International Version of the Bible Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.”  Those are powerful words, particularly for having come from Christ himself.  As adults it is all too easy to lose whatever childlike faith we may have had.  For me, “childlike” does not suggest ignorance; rather it implies an inherent wisdom and trust that defies logical convention.  I hope I shall be made better for striving to see my faith and the world through a child’s eyes.