Death
Sister’s Dream
My sister told me about a dream she had. She was with my dad. He put his hands on her shoulders and just looked at her with a smile on his face and a twinkle in his eye. What a beautiful dream – or was it? This is how I like to remember my dad. […]
A Holy Moment
I was happy to see a friend to sit with at Mass this morning. Afterwards we decided to go downstairs to partake in the Knights of Columbus breakfast. Today they served breakfast burritos, which were pretty tasty. As we ate, a gentleman approached my friend and gave her a big hug. I got to know […]
Painful Yet Productive
Since we had the floors replaced in my parents’ room, we decided it was the time to sort through everything in there. Some of the items were painful memories of my dad’s time in the memory care center. Getting things ready to donate was also a sorrowful reminder that my mother is no longer here. […]
Worship in Music
Today at Mass, the offertory hymn got me teary eyed – so much so that I couldn’t sing any more. I tried to remember the hymn, but not surprisingly, I can’t. It was about offering what we have to Christ. The last verse was something to the effect of giving God our final breath after […]
Blessed Family Friend
Yesterday I went to visit our friend who would come play piano duets with my mom. I don’t think I had seen her since my mom’s funeral, though we talked on the phone a couple times. She asked about going to the cemetery, so we made the trip out there. On the way we stopped […]
Keep Me In Your Heart
A friend of mine and her family invited a gentleman to live with them 8 years ago. At the time, he was suffering from COPD and living on his own in a small house in a rough part of town. The doctors said he had about 18 months to live. He had no living family […]
Death and Life
Today the church had a Mass and luncheon especially for those who are grieving. My friend whose husband died a few months ago and I went together. At Mass, the responsorial was Deuteronomy 32:39, “It is I who bring both death and life.” I often think about the end of both my dad’s and my […]
New Headstone
Last night I suddenly became aware that I hadn’t been to the cemetery since the day after my mom was buried. And that was about 6 weeks ago. She was buried with my dad at the National Cemetery. The original headstone for my dad was removed and a temporary placard was in it’s place. I […]
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. […]
Still Finding God 