Abbott and Costello Pray the Rosary 

Ah, the Rosary. A fragrant offering of prayer, an oasis of contemplation, and a sacrifice of praises to God.

Well, not always.

Some time ago, while Husband Mike and I were praying the Rosary together 'afore bed, we had the following exchange. Background Note: I was suffering from a severe cold at the time that included coughing, a nonstop runny nose, and a Gigumbous Amount of postnasal drippage that had the unfortunate side effect of, ah ... triggering lots of burping. (Am I the only one who belches because of that? Please tell me I'm not alone.)

Husband Mike: "Hail Mary, full of grace, blessed art thou amongst women --"

Me: "Haaaaacccccckkkkkkk, cough, gasp, wheeze." (sheepish look) "Sorry."

HM: "-- Blessed art thou amongst women, and blessed --"

Me: (reaching for the tissues) "Hooooooooonnnnnnnnnk." (pause, during which Husband Mike made an attempt to continue) "Hooooooonnnk."

HM: "Are you finished?"

Me: (nodding)

Repeat preceding exchange several times throughout the decades, accompanied by a growing pile of tissues.

HM: "... Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven."

Me: (taking a breath before starting my part) "BRAAAAAAAAPPPPPPPPP!"

After a split-second of shocked silence, we burst into laughter.

HM: "The Sorrowful Mysteries!" (gasping) "We're supposed to be meditating on Christ's suffering and death!"

Me: "I know, I know!"

We were both laughing so hard we were crying. Which, in my case, caused my nose to stuff up even more, triggering more honking and a flurry of tissues.

After several false starts, we pulled ourselves together and resumed praying. Then, into the last decade ...

HM: "... The fifth Sorrowful Mystery: Jesus is crucified and dies. Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be Thy name. Thy kingdom come, Thy will be done, on earth as it is in heaven." (waiting for me to respond)

Me: (lost in thought imagining the pain of the nails as they're pounded into Christ's hands)

HM: (elbows my side)

Me: (jumping) "What?!" (lightbulb) "Oh! Give us this day our daily bread ..."

As we both burst into laughter again, Husband Mike wheezed, "Christ is dying, here!"

"I KNOW! I was thinking about the nails!" I wailed. "Nails!"

101 Inspirational Stories of the Rosary-worthy, we are not.

Labels: family, marriage, married bliss, prayer, rosary

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