First Holy Communion at Immaculate Conception School, 1963

This is my 1963, First Holy Communion picture at Immaculate Conception School.  I am in the second row, 7th from the left of the row of boys.  I've got both my hands on my prayer book covering my face and my joy at the group photo and probably giddy at the thought of completing the procedures leading up to the big event.  I recall the preparation work and how the nuns during the rehearsal made it a big to-do.  

A printer explains what the First Communion is:

First Communion is considered one of the holiest and most important occasions in a Roman Catholic's life. It means that person has received the Sacrament of the Eucharist, the body and blood of Jesus Christ. Most Catholic children receive their First Communion when they're 7 or 8 years of age because this is considered the age of reason. Others can receive communion for the first time whenever they've met all the Church's requirements. 

In order for anyone to receive communion, that person must be without sin and in a state of grace. Traditionally, young Catholic children will make their first confession or the Sacrament of Penance, a week before receiving their First Communion. At confession, the child will detail sins and misdeeds to a priest and receive a penance in exchange. The penance is usually several prayers to be recited immediately upon exiting the confessional. Once the child is absolved of sin, he's ready to make his First Communion.

I feel lucky to have found this picture.  I owned a hard copy of it for years stored indifferently in the hallway cabinet at Mom's for years but never secured it or cared for it properly.  I took that picture for granted and assumed that others would treasure it as much as I did.  Live and learn.  

Kevin Moore is in the picture.  He's the blond kid standing at Monsignor Dee's left.  The Rahab twin brothers are here, too, but these are names probably you're unfamiliar with.  IC was such the center of our lives back then.

Great Adventures Brought to You by CW

With the exception of Charlen, each member of our family was quite athletic in our youth.  Dan ran cross country, played basketball, could play tennis and some football.  Chuck may have been the all-star in the family, however.  His skills ran the gamut from football (he was a wide receiver on the Citrus Owls in 1967.  He played basketball.  In fact, he invited me often to play with him and his coworkers.  Once with Denny and other friends at the outdoor courts at Rosemead High School.  Another time, we played outdoors at a park in Hollywood.  I just wished I could remember the name of the school or park. 

To baseball, Chuck organized weekend games with his friends Pat and Denny Moore, and more than once we played on the Memorial Park field in Sierra Madre.  Chuck knew the classy places to test athletic prowess.  

We also played on the practice field at Citrus College.  

Will never forget one time when I was playing the outfield, center field to be specific, and a fly ball came to me.  I caught it but then threw the relay to Denny wildly offline, and Denny let out a guttural exclamation of disbelief.  Sorry, Denny.  

Suffice it to say that when it came to fun, to competition, and thrilling athletics and enjoying life, Chuck led those adventures astutely and with great excitement by challenging us.

It was Chuck who took us skin diving, the one and only time I saw a Garibaldi.  

One other adventure I had with Chuck was a road trip up to the High Sierras, specifically the Virginia Lakes.  We were riding in style in his white, 1981 VW Rabbit.  Fishing was okay, not great that weekend.  After the night's stay near Virginia Lakes, we drove back down 395 to the June Lake Loop.  Again, fishing was not spectacular.  On the way home, we took 395, of course, to Highway 14 through Lancaster but then got on Highway 138 before connecting to Highway 2 behind La Crescenta.  Chuck let me drive his car, his Volkswagen chariot, through the San Gabriel foothills.  Knowing that traffic would be less but road conditions a little more challenging, Chuck put me behind the wheel.  And I will never forget one of the best lessons I'd ever learned.  Hwy 2 is a 2-laned mountain road, and on occasion I had to pass slower vehicles.  And in my attempt to pass, I exercised caution out of respect to my passenger and out of respect to his property.  And that's when Chuck says to me, "You can't hesitate.  Once you decide to pass, you've got to execute it."  And h was absolutely right.  Being definite with my actions signaled others to get out of the way or adjust according to my move.  It was brilliant and became an enduring lesson.  Few in my orbit had this level of insight or if they did were incapable of communicating it.  Chuck executes thoughtful skills with finesse.  It was always a delight to be with him.  More than anyone, he knew how to edify the air, and I've always loved this ethic.  And though I've presumed I could achieve this somewhat with language or stories, I know, too, that I have failed certain audiences.  Thank you, Chuck, for so many great memories.