Tag Archives: Oma

Church starts at 9AM on Sunday

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I’ve heard this phrase for most of my adult life.  I say ‘adult life’ because before that, it wasn’t said as a reminder, it was assumed I was going. My parents made sure of that. As if I hadn’t heard this enough over the last 32 years, it increased to be every single week once my wife and I bought a house in St Louis Park, about 6 whole minutes drive from the church.  My parents have been lifelong participating members of the church community.  I had always joked with my mom that I spent so much time there from 0-18, that I had enough services saved up, I could afford to miss a few as an adult.  She didn’t find this as funny as I did.  My father has been in the choir as long as I can remember and was at one time the president of the congregation, and serves on various boards.  My mom seemingly spends every free moment of her time at the church, volunteering in some way.  When my mom brought my older brother to the 3-year-old Sunday School class at the church, he had a really hard time when she tried to leave the room.  The teacher at the time suggested that she stay, and she could help teach the class that day.  My brother is now 36, and my mom has been Teacher Carole, teaching the same 3-year-old class ever since.  She has had students in her 3-year-old class that have grown up and had their children in her class as well.  My hope is that our little man can participate in his grandma’s 3 year old class in a few short years.

I make mention of all of this because I feel it is important.  My parents both make a point to tell me every Saturday that church starts at 9AM on Sunday.  I feel like it is for a slightly different reason now.  I know that their wish is that we go every Sunday, like them, believe and feel all of the messages, like them and make it a point to serve our community, like them. Church is very important to my parents, and so are my wife, my son and myself.  I feel like the reason for the weekly reminder has changed.  When we go, it is obvious to me that my parents have a sense of pride when they introduce us. This is especially evident when they are showing everyone their new grandson.  And I feel this when members of the congregation comment to me about my son Mac. I feel like this is one of the many things that I have an increased understanding of now that I, myself, am a father.

Maybe I had missed the meaning of these reminders all along…

Mac and Daddy at Church.jpg

Mac and Daddy surprised Oma and Papa Paul at church this morning!

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Oma and… Momo?

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Now that things are picking up around here, I feel like I should take a moment to introduce you to some of the major players. First, of course, is my wife without whom there wouldn’t be a baby and I wouldn’t have much to write about. Next there’s the star of the show, Macallister, commonly referred to as Mac. He’s also affectionately called Mackey or Mac-a-million by his day care friends.

Then there are the Grandparents. We are very fortunate to have both sets of Mac’s grandparents here in the Twin Cities to shower us with their love and support. Mac is a lucky little man, as are his parents.

Right away my mom made it known that she would like to be called “Oma.” I’d never heard of Oma but as my mom explained, it means Grandmother in German. This was a way for her to involve her German heritage, and at the same time Oma would be easy for Mac to learn. Oma has definitely stuck as a great nickname for my mom.

My dad goes by Papa Paul. At first, I wasn’t sure if he picked this name or if my mom chose it for him and he’s just really good at picking his battles. (I’ve since come to find that he picked it, he prefers it, so that’s what it is!) I’m curious to see how Mac pronounces Papa Paul.

My Father-in-law went the longest without having a nickname, well after the little man arrived. One day I returned home from work to find out that he was now “Beepa.” I witnessed him and my son, now nicknamed “Beepers” playing a really fun game. Grandpa Beepa would push his finger to the little guy’s nose and say “Beep!” It seems like a silly game, but the smile and laughter that followed from my son was incredible. Mac loved it and Beepa and Beepers it was.

And finally, there is my mother-in-law. She had also picked a name for Mac to call her, although, to this day I’m not exactly sure where if came from. She suggested she could be called “Momo.” I’m guessing because this too would be something that could be fairly easy for him to say. I had made a point to try to uncover the exact reason why she chose this name. I told her we couldn’t have our baby call her Momo if she couldn’t explain to us why! Looking back on it, I was probably a little hard on my wife’s mom about this. I realize that she too just wanted an easy nickname for herself. Mac isn’t saying names as of yet, but I’m going make sure Momo one of the first words he will learn. After Mommy, Daddy and Baseball of course.

Mac and his Grandparents

Mac and his Grandparents!