Some Things Never Change

The Second Row...Yes...The Second Row
That is our "assigned seat" in Sacrament Meeting each Sunday. Specifically, the second row, in front of the Sacrament Table, in full view of The Organ. The Deacons sit to our right. That is where we sit.every.Sunday. I have actually left things on that row one week, and came back the next to find them still in the same place I left them.
Being seated in this location was strategic, at one point, now it is just habit. Years ago, when we moved into this Chapel, to be specific, I sat in this location so I could see Curt playing the organ, and Jeffrey and/or Andrew Blessing and/or Passing the Sacrament. Ron was usually sitting on the stand, so I was alone until the boys could join me after The Sacrament portion of the meeting was over.
Then came Katherine. I was certain that a baby would not be able to sit up front without being disruptive. I was wrong, she did great on The Second Row. One Sunday, when she was a toddler, I tried to sit near the back so she could move around a little....BAD IDEA. She was out of sorts on a row other than The Second. She was talking to people all over the chapel during the meeting. The next week, we were back in place.
There was another Sunday when Katherine was Two Years Old and I was pregnant with Megan.....
Ron was up front sitting on the stand. I was too slow to catch Katherine as she headed up front to see Ron. She did not, however go directly to Ron...she started playing on the steps and would not come to Ron when he motioned for her to come sit on his lap. THAT WAS IT! He stood up, during the meeting, scooped Katherine up in his arms and headed down the steps. Just before he hit the bottom step, with Katherine over his shoulder, she expressed, loud and clear, "I NEED MY DIAPER CHANGED." The entire congregation heard her dilemma (how could they not) and many still talk about it today, some 10 years later.
It was one of those stellar moments of parenthood that is not quickly forgotten.
Now.....Back To The Second Row....
When Megan came along, I did not even consider moving to another row. The Second Row in the chapel remained our "assigned seat" The girls have never known anything different. They were "raised" on that row, and, most likely, that is the only row the boys remember.

Today, it was great to have Andrew home sitting on The Second Row with us. The Row came alive with the energy of Andrew. Actually, more than just the row was alive, it was the entire area around us. Andrew could catch the eye of any teenage boy and with just a look, get them laughing and out of focus. The entire meeting was spent reminding Andrew to sit still and be quiet, yes, almost 23 year old Andrew.
Some things never change...Our Row... and reminding Andrew to be "reverent.".
I love you, Andrew...really, I do.

Do you always sit in the same spot at Church?

Does your Ward (Congregation) have "assigned seats" i.e.

people sit in the same spots every week?

Did you know that this "assigned seating" actually "bugs" me?

I am always thinking...I wish everyone (including me)

would just switch where they sit once in awhile.