By Definition

/

Eu-cha-rist (ykr-st) The Eucharist is another name for Holy communion. The term comes from the Greek by way of Latin, and it means"thanksgiving." It is used in three ways: first, to refer to the Real Presence of Christ; second, to refer to Christ's continuing action as High Priest (He "gave thanks" at the Last Supper, which began the consecration of the bread and wine); and third, to refer to the Sacrament of Holy Communion itself. [Middle English eukarist, from Old French eucariste, from Late Latin eucharistia, from Greek eukharisti, from eukharistos, grateful, thankful : eu-, eu- + kharizesthai, to show favor (from kharis, grace; see gher-2 in Indo-European roots).]

/

When you fall asleep early wondering whether you are going to make a 6AM run to the airport or a later one (depending on the plane they catch) and the phone rings in the middle of the night and it's an airport official with a very thick accent and in your sleepy haze you have no idea what she's telling you except that she has the names of three of your dearest treasures, your heart skips a beat. Or two. Or three. I think she said there are weather delays in either Portland or Seattle and she needed to help them find another flight. Did I have a number where they could be reached?  I think that means that they are not yet on any airplane. Really the only thing I know for certain is that Mike's cell phone is dead and this is the busiest day of the year for air travel. And that a United official from India is truly sorry that she woke me and the crying baby in my bed. And that it's not so easy to get back to sleep after the airlines calls in the middle of night. Not so easy at all.