Death
Sunflowers
A very loving friend of the family helped care for my mom and dad for a very long time. She was also caring for an older gentleman who she and her family brought into their home. He lived with them for many years. Several months ago, he started having more struggles, so our friend needed […]
Familiar Words
A few months ago, my mom’s friend’s son-in-law died. I had scheduled a Mass to be offered for his soul. It was today. I met our friend there and we prayed together. I recognized the Gospel reading: Mt 11:28-30Jesus said:“Come to me, all you who labor and are burdened, and I will give you rest. […]
The Funeral
I have taken a little break from writing, but not from praying and pondering. As I think about the events during the last few weeks, I am grateful to realize God’s hand and love through it all. When my father died, my mom chose everything for his funeral, from the visitation through to the burial […]
The Engagement
My son met an amazing young woman 2 1/2 years ago. From the beginning she has been a blessing in our lives. Once she became a licensed massage therapist, she came over every week to give my mom a soothing hand massage. Even when my mom wasn’t up to it, she would just come over […]
Playing Her Piano
Today as I was making my way through estate paperwork, I suddenly got the urge to play the piano. I haven’t actually played in years. I sat down at the piano in front of my mom’s music books. On top was the collection of sacred music. I opened it to Amazing Grace, which was one […]
Remembering Their Beautiful Song
We received a beautiful card today that spoke perfectly to my mother’s life. It said: God gives every person their own unique song. It’s one that will play their entire life long. Through the love that they give and the gifts that they share, through the memories they make and the dreams that they dare. […]
Life Not Death
At church today, the first reading was from the book of Wisdom. The first sentence was, “God did not make death, nor does he rejoice in the destruction of the living.” That hit my heart immediately. The Gospel reading was about a woman who was ill for many years. She touched Jesus’ cloak and was […]
Comforting Message
We’ve been receiving some beautiful sentiments from friends and neighbors. One card had an especially meaningful and relevant quote from Christian author Max Lucado: “We don’t like to say goodbye to those whom we love. It is right for us to weep, but there is no need for us to despair. They had pain here. […]
God’s Words
My sister and I went to Mass this morning and the scripture readings were so meaningful – as well as the hymns. The theme was that God is with us through all the storms in our lives. After Mass, there was a reception for the beloved priest who came to our house several times and […]
Graceful
Yesterday as we talked with nurses and caregivers about my mother, my brother used the word “graceful” to describe her. When I sat with her this morning, her items on the nightstand caught my eye. They included her reading glasses, her St. Padre Pio prayer book, and a prayer card with her name on it. […]
Still Finding God 