Where Do You Find a Rosary?

I was quite embarrassed with this question because, well, I am Catholic. I think some Catholics would disagree with me, especially since I had no idea where to buy a rosary. And that’s almost embarrassing.

Let’s just dive right into it…

I never thought that people would be giving Cowboy gifts for his deployment. I didn’t think this was a gift giving cause. Lo and behold, I was wrong. So, I thought about it and thought about it. Then my friend whose brother was in Iraq told me the best gift he got was a Rosary. He’s not very religious but it meant a lot to him. He carried it around so much and then became sad when he lost it. When she told me this, I thought what a great gift. And Cowboy mentioned to me, a long time ago, that he’d like to have a Rosary. Cowboy is not Catholic.

Let’s get this out of the way, Catholicism is not a huge part of my life or who I am. Yes, I am and I do abide by some things but not a majority of it. I also do not attend church. Growing up, this was the biggest hassle ever. I dreaded Sundays. Sunday mornings our family was in church and I didn’t understand a thing, then I was the class clown in CCD and I think I barely made it through my first communion. I’m also not confirmed but that was my father’s choice. See, both my parents are not Catholic. Just my mom. Or was then but she’s back again. The Church is very forgiving like that, some Hail Mary’s and you’re back in the game.

I’m going to share something and don’t think we’re a crazy family, even though we are. While I was in college, post divorce for my mom, she had somesort of crazy meltdown over her relationship with the Church, I never understood it. This was around the time that you couldn’t turn on the news without hearing about some boy being violated by a church member. One day she sat my brother and I down and asked this to us, “What if the bible was written by some crazy old fool who is laughing at us from his grave and none of those stories are true?” My brother’s response was, “Wouldn’t he be in Hell?” My mom was kinda done with the Church as you can guess (and I will add, her thought on who wrote the Bible is back to normalcy, whatever that is) but the woman had a point, I thought, back then.
The next day after her Bible author speech, a priest came over and blessed our entire house with Holy water and the longest prayer ever and then we were done.
No more church. Yippee?

That wasn’t the last time I’ve been to church. I’ve maybe been at least, 5 times since, in the span of 8 years. I have beliefs in God and they do stem from a Catholic background. I’m very open when it comes to religion.

But I do not know where to buy a Rosary. And I wanted one for Cowboy. I was going to write my own personal prayer for him and a letter with the Rosary. I consulted my half in/ half out Catholic friend - only she and I could laugh about this.

Seriously, where do you get a Rosary? There are tons of places online but I needed this ASAP. When we were young, I had so many Rosaries coming out of my bottom, I didn’t know what to do with them. Her, too. We came to the conclusion of the Christian bookstore. Voila! Duh, right? So, we thought.

To make sure I asked my other Catholic friend and boy I’m glad I did. She agreed that’s where you could find one, but she brought up other points: Rosaries are not meant to be given to non-Catholic people. I knew this. I just didn’t abide. She brought up some great points that they are used for prayer and not jewelry. I know Cowboy would use it as a symbol of my prayer for him. I thought about what she had to say and for a good hour, I questioned my gift. Then, I thought, no I’m Catholic and it’s my prayer to and for him. I’m taking my faith and interpreting it into something that he will hold onto.

I’m so appreciative of her opinion because she said some things that me and the other half in/half out Catholic never thought of. During lunch I was off to the Christian bookstore.

This could be non-funny because we’re talking religion but the jokes will still be made, just know I know my faith and God and we’re good. I never had been to a Christian bookstore before. Holey Moley. That was a lot of product. A lot. And it was jam packed in there, too, with people, in the middle of the day, on a Thursday. I couldn’t find one on my own, so I had to ask.

Now, if I knew I was going to sound like an idiot, I wouldn’t have asked. It’s not like I was asking for porn in the Christian bookstore. The way the sales clerk answered me you’d so think that’s what I was asking for…seriously. And then, the kiss of death, I asked where she thought I could get one. Oh. No. She just stared at me. I guess its like a farmer asking where he can buy a rake? And then she said it, oh boy, did she say it, “We don’t do Catholicism here”

Whaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaat. Where am I?

Where is that What Would You Do Crew? Where are they? I’m sure they are here somewhere. John Quienones was sure to jump out from behind a bookcase at this moment. And that’s only fresh on my mind because they were on Oprah the other day. And what a great concept for a show, no?

So, I pulled my sunglasses over my eyes and backed the fuck out of there. There you have it, no Rosary. Maybe my other Catholic friend was correct, they are not meant to be given out like that. Lesson learned.