apology muffins, and you don't have to call me "reverend"

I lost my temper with Alex today.  She was wrong and out of line, but my reaction far outweighed the crime (my patience had worn very thin), and I'm having one of those days where I'm seriously beating myself up well and good about it.

Guilt is a bugger of a thing, isn't it?

Anyway, I apologized to her, and when she came home from school, I made a fresh batch of her favourite muffins.  And bless her, she seems to have forgotten everything, and appears no worse for wear. 

I'm still feeling a little shell-shocked, though.

* * * * * * *

A couple of months ago, I accidentally became an ordained minister. 

I know that sounds weird, but hear me out:  I was sitting in front of the television, just idly surfing the web, when I remember hearing about how you could become ordained online.  So I googled, and found this website, where I could get! ordained! free! 

Now, I was raised Catholic, and had no intention of becoming a minister, but curiosity got the best of me:  I thought I would poke around the site, just to see what the process entailed.  Apparently, I clicked one button too many, because far sooner than even slightly reasonable, I was taken to a page that said, "CONGRATULATIONS!  YOU ARE AN ORDAINED MINISTER!" 

Wait! No! I mean ... what?!?

But it was too late:  ordained I am.  I am apparently now legal to do weddings, funerals, absolve sins, perform baptisms and even -- get this -- start a church, if I wanted to.

Don't worry. I don't want to.

However, ever since I became ordained (<-- possibly the strangest phrase I've ever written about myself), I've felt like I ought to do something with it, what with this fancy new card that I have. But I haven't had a clue what.

Until today, when my blue mood has offered a bit of inspiration.  Let's do this:

If you're going through a tough time, or are in a bit of a funk, or are even just hoping for something good to come your way, leave a comment below.  You don't have to tell me what's going on in your life  -- it's really none of my business.  Just leave a comment saying anything with your name.  When you do, I promise to say a little prayer for you and send you some good thoughts, from right here in my office.  I'll even light a candle for just this purpose.

This may not be the normal way these things are done, but I figure my being a minister at all is hardly normal.  And in any event, the thoughts I'll be sending your way are absolutely sincere. 

And that has to count for something, right?

Hang in there, friends.

Song:  Call and answer by Barenaked Ladies