We’re back to hockey. The ice season ended a few weeks ago and now we’re (or rather LightGirl and LightBoy) are playing in-line hockey.

LightGirl is playing on an all girls team called (are you ready?) the Pink Panthers. They wear black jerseys with pink lettering. She is playing in goal for half the games. Today was her first game in goal. She was cool headed and smooth. They still lost, but she stopped 35 shots. Her coach told her she played the best game he’d seen for a first time goalie. It astonishes me all the time that I have such a self-contained and self-assured daughter. I’m in awe of her and her potential.

LightBoy has taken up the sport as well. He is playing defense. He still looks a bit like a misplaced giraffe ended up in the midst of a hockey game. He got a few more shots off today and then took off after them, just like his coach told him to. LightGirl sees lots of big sister coaching potential and she was promptly warned off by the surrounding parents.

There was a game in played in between the two games. So we had a lull. LightHusband and another parent went out to get some lunch and brought it back for a few people. There was a Chick-Fil-A nearby so that was the spot of choice. When they came back there was some discussion of the company practice of staying closed on Sundays. One mom said, “Well, you know it’s a Christian company.” Another responded, “What if you have a Chick-Fil-A craving on Sunday?” “Well … you know … it’s a ridiculous policy.” “Speaking of Christians. My second cousins daughter goes to one of those Christian colleges and she just sent us a letter, because she has to go on a missions trip this summer or something.” “Well, I don’t know why those colleges need more money. George Bush signed that law that gave money to the Christian colleges.” “Well, I guess they have to raise their own money for these trips or something.” “Yeah, I could never be a Christian. They have too many rules.”

Well … how about that?  I just listened … there wasn’t much room for me in the conversation without being rude or defensive.  But it’s stuck with me all day.  I’ll be thinking about for quite some time to come.  By the way, I did a little sleuthing and found out the corporate policy behind Chick-fil-A’s decision to close on Sundays:

Truett Cathy, founder of Chick-fil-A, made the decision to close on Sunday in 1946 when he opened his original restaurant, the Dwarf House, in Hapeville, Georgia.  He has often shared that his decision was as much practical as spiritual.  Operating a 24-hour a day business left him exhausted.  Being closed on Sunday allowed him time to recover physically, emotionally and spiritually.  And, of course, being closed on Sunday aligns with his personal religious convictions and beliefs.

To explain this at our restaurants, a sign states, “Since 1946, it has been our nationwide policy to be closed on Sunday.  Thank for your patronage, adn we look forward to serving you Monday through Saturday.”