I left the church because I would not be – what we called at the time – a "cafeteria" Catholic. This is somebody who picks and chooses what they believe, rather than believe the entire fabric required by the faith.

I once made my - now 16 year-old - cry because I sternly corrected what I believed to be selfish behavior on a Christmas morning when she was about 4.

Not my strongest moment as a parent, which she reminds me of from time to time. She and her 20 year-old sister would say that I overly emphasized the notion that consequences accompany behaviors.

They are likely right.