via EV Grieve: Ashes to ashes: A to-go twist on Ash Wednesday
After my mom died, I went into St. Thomas Church at 53rd & 5th on Ash Wednesday. When I walked out I realized it was an Episcopalian church so I thought, “Great. Now I have Protestant ashes on my head.” And that meant I had to walk 3 more blocks south to St. Patricks, stand in line, and do it all again, or I thought my mom would be disappointed. But now, in hindsight, I’m sure she was just laughing at my ridiculousness.
Also, St. Thomas should have better signage, telling people it’s an Episcopalian church, so people don’t make the mistake I made. If I can help just one person avoid that, I’m very pleased with myself.
But I always like seeing ashes on foreheads in New York. Not so much for religious reasons at all. It’s just a nice tradition one day out of the year. You don’t really see it in other cities much, though I would guess Boston and Chicago see their fair share of ashed-up foreheads. But so many people are out and walking in New York, and they go into their offices without a second thought.
