Protected, serene, awed

Religion came back to her late. Her parents had drilled the no-fun parts into her. What you'd better not do. How you'd better dress well, but not too well.

People knelt a lot in this church. She didn't feel comfortable at first, but she wanted to. After a month, she pulled out the kneelers in the pews. The excitement surprised her, then the calm came as she mouthed a prayer. She forgot to worry how the Divine would grade it.

She still did not feel comfortable taking communion yet. Some self-consciousness -- she liked her nice suits, and was it vain to show off as she knelt? She discussed her concerns with the priest after last week's service.

Then she whispered to the usher. "This week, yes."

In front of the altar, she felt both alone and at home as she took the wine and wafer. But it was more than that. She nodded her head, returned to her pew, and knelt in grateful prayer. Communion would be a regular, joyous part of her church experience.