Struggles
Mixed Messages
Today I went to meet some friends for lunch downtown. I didn’t even give thought to encountering protests and counter protests. The place was buzzing with activity. People were walking all the streets in all directions carrying signs with all different messages and flags of all different sorts. Later this evening, I saw parts of […]
Adult Adoption
I visited with a friend today who shared a heartwarming story with me. Many years ago, she began caring for her nephew as his parents were no longer capable of doing so. She loved him and raised him as her own. As he grew into young men, he married and started a family of his […]
Done with PT
Last year, after my mom died, I think my body retaliated. I had lots of strange things such as styes in my eye, more basal skin spots, and rapid weight gain. I was also in a lot of pain – particularly in my back. My doctor gave me the treatment options, one of which was […]
Pruned Tomato Plant
Several days ago, I bought a tomato plant and planted it in a pot outside. As the day went on, some of the branches were wilted. My sister realized that it had broken. She cut it off at the broken part and put the cutting in some water. It did start growing some roots, which […]
Replacing the Struggles
Today I came across a prayer that I thought was very relevant to me, and probably to many others as well: Replace the tension within uswith a holy relaxation.Replace the turbulence within uswith a sacred calm.Replace the anxiety within uswith quiet confidence.Replace the fear within uswith a strong faith.Replace the bitterness within uswith the sweetness […]
Beautiful Transformation
Today I talked with a far away friend who I haven’t spoken to in quite some time. She has struggled physically for years and has always done her best to stay independent. But as time went on, she fell more often and could no longer drive. We talked about what our children and grandchildren were […]
Priorities
I have been going to private counseling for about 2 years now and have been so grateful for the help I am receiving as I process trying to care for my parents and watching both of them die. A couple weeks ago I did an exercise in which I went through cards with different values […]
Being Done
I listened to a great homily by Fr. Mike Schmitz this morning before I went to Palm Sunday Mass. He talked about something that I have struggled with. Fr. Schmitz admittedly looks forward to being “done”. He anticipates what the outcome will be and gets nervous or anxious not knowing. When it is done, he […]
Encouraging Wisdom
This morning I had brunch with some new friends from the church. It is an organized group of older, single people who get together for a meal or events a couple times a month. You can just participate in whatever you would like. One of the ladies I talked with is the oldest at 89 […]
Go Left
A friend of mine continues to struggle through a divorce and move. I went to help her get some final things out of her house today. Another friend was there as well. We loaded up all our vehicles and headed over to the new place. When we were there, I saw her friend taping a […]
Still Finding God 