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It’s a Big One

Posted by eph21920 on November 14, 2021 in Birthday, Family, Food, Happiness, Joy, Laughter, Life

Yesterday was my birthday. Yes, it was a big one. I started the day by visiting my dad with my mom, brother, and my son. When they told him it was my birthday, he sang the happy birthday song to me. I wish I had my phone ready to record it, but I did not. I asked if he knew how old I was. He guessed about 20 years too young and when we worked our way up to my actual age, he couldn’t believe it. I told him that was OK, I couldn’t either. In the afternoon, my sons and family came over to celebrate. My sister and brother worked hard in the kitchen to make my favorite Mexican food, which was delicious. My daughter in law made an amazing chocolate mint cake – also my favorite. We did video chat with my other siblings who were unable to come. As always, there was a lot of noise and laughter. I was exhausted and wired at the same time when I went to bed last night. Today is day two of my next big decade. I made sure to exercise this morning so I keep up on my health best I can. I am grateful that I have family close to celebrate and laugh with. And I am grateful that physically I am doing pretty well.

I Found God today celebrating my birthday.

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Completely Different

Posted by eph21920 on November 12, 2021 in Connected, Family, Life, Past

My mom was reminiscing about her childhood at dinner today. Even though her father couldn’t write, he was quite a business man. He owned the building with his bakery on the street level. He leased out part of it to a barber and another part to a painter for storage. Upstairs was the family home. But there was also another apartment that was leased to another family. In my mom’s family residence lived my mother and her 3 siblings, her parents, and her grandfather. Her parents had a bedroom with a bed. Her brother and grandfather shared a bed. She shared a sofa bed with her sister. And her little brother was in a crib. There was 1 bathroom that was shared by the family and the bakery, so the bakers would come upstairs to use it at all hours of the day. They had no shower, just a bathtub that they used to bathe in once a week. My mom remembered a friend whose father was wealthy. They bought a shower when they first became available. The friend showered every day before school, which seemed very odd to the other kids. Of course it was very different times 80 years ago. And that was different from 80 years before that. I always enjoy listening to my mom reminisce and am always in awe of how my grandfather ran his business and took care of his family without every being able to write.

I Found God today listening to old family stories.

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Veteran’s Day Celebration

Posted by eph21920 on November 11, 2021 in Family, Grateful, Happiness, Joy, Life, Service

I was very excited to hear that Morning Star was going to host a Veteran’s Day celebration. I was also very happy that my brother just came in from out of town last night and that my sister was off work so we could all go and honor my dad. One of the local high school’s Navy ROTC did a wonderful presentation and visited personally with each Veteran. When the young man asked my dad what was important to him, he answered, “My country and my family.” Beautiful. They handed out certificates and the activities director gave each Veteran a rose. My dad gave his to my mom. One of the residents stood and saluted several times during the event. He showed his certificate to my mom and he and my dad had quite a conversation. Then there was food and a pianist who played patriotic songs. We all sang along. It was the most I saw my dad smile in months and such a blessing for all of us.

I Found God today celebrating the military life of my father.

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Still Pining

Posted by eph21920 on November 9, 2021 in Connected, Faith, Family, Life, Prayer

Today when my mom and I visited my dad, we found him dozing in front of the TV on the sofa. My mom sat down next to him and he woke up and said hello. He started talking all about some of his important life events. Most of them were memories of church involvement. He talked about being an altar server for 10 years and thinking he may want to become a priest. He also talked about my mom being the organist at every church they went to. A couple of times he asked if we were going to church today and I told him not on Tuesdays. On Sunday, he told us he realized his assignment there was to be the assistant to the chaplain. We talked about what an important job that was for the right person and that they had to be empathetic and caring. The day before that, he had a need to pray. So, we all prayed to Our Lady of Lourdes and blessed ourselves with holy water. To me, this is all evidence that while his body and mind are waning, he soul continues to pine for Our Lord.

I Found God today in my dad’s spirituality.

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Who Am I

Posted by eph21920 on November 8, 2021 in Answer, Creation, Faith, Humility, Life, Struggles

I enjoyed discussing the homework in my Bible class tonight as we talked about the ending in the book of Job. There are several chapters in which God answered Job’s laments of his current sad situation. He did this, not by explaining why Job is suffering, but by questioning Job’s participation in God’s plan. For example, in Job 38:4, God asked Job, “Where were you when I laid the foundation of the earth? Tell me if you have understanding.” And in 38:12 He asked, “Have you commanded the morning since your days began…?” By the time Job responded to the discourse, all he could say is that he shouldn’t say any more. Job was rightfully humbled before the presence of God. I know I can easily get caught up in the sadness and suffering that exists all around me. And I can lose sight of the fact that God has given each of us our part in life. This discussion was a good reminder to me that God is God and I am not. Who am I to question God’s hand in my life.

I Found God today remembering how small I am.

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Beautiful Actions

Posted by eph21920 on November 7, 2021 in Connected, Faith, Life, Love, Patience, Relationship

Today in church, the scripture readings were about poor widows who gave everything they had to God. The first reading was about the widow who met Elijah. He asked her to care for him. She said she had only enough for a final meal for her and her son. After that, they would die. Elijah promised her that if she helped him, God would take care of her and her son, which of course He did. In the Gospel reading, Jesus pointed out a poor widow who gave all her money to the temple. Jesus explained to His disciples that she had given more than even the rich people because she gave everything she had. In the homily, the priest explained how beautiful the actions were of the trusting, generous, faithful women. As he talked, I couldn’t help but notice the activity around us. A few rows in front of us was a mom, dad, and 2 kids. One of the boys had special needs and he and his brother went back and forth between mom and dad. Both parents were so patient with them and with each other as they taught them the basic movements of the Mass. In front of them was a teenager who also had special needs. He was with an older man. The boy would occasionally rub the back of the old man or gently tug at his sleeve to say something to him. The old man too was very patient. Sometime during the Mass, another family scooted in 2 rows in front of us. This family included a mom, dad, and 5 young children. There weren’t even enough chairs to accommodate the crowd, but they made it work. A couple of the kids were very active and the baby loved to make that high pitched scream. The parents calmly gave their attention to the child that needed it most. After a while, the dad finally took the baby and the next younger out the back doors. While it was somewhat of a distraction, it seemed to me that these parents and families were demonstrating beautiful actions of their own.

I Found God today in beautiful actions.

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Knowledgeable and Thoughtful

Posted by eph21920 on November 6, 2021 in Family, Generosity, Grateful, Joy, Knowledge

Not too long ago I received notice from my mobile carrier that they would no longer be supporting my phone. I didn’t want to get a new phone. To me it’s so hard learning how to work a new one. But, I had to. My brother offered me to join his service. Since I was unhappy with mine, that sounded like a great idea. A couple days ago, my phone stopped getting texts from certain people. Then I received my new phone in the mail. I was excited to get it set up, but didn’t feel comfortable trying to do it on my own. I called one son. He wasn’t feeling well and we try not to be around sickness. He suggested trying my other son. I called him and he had to work late. He suggested calling my grandson. I called him and he came right over. He worked with me to get all the info from my old phone over to the new one. Then he showed me some cool tricks and settings. I stayed up way too late playing with it and figuring it out. But I really enjoyed the time with my thoughtful, smart, and helpful grandson.

I Found God today spending time with my helpful grandson.

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Small Town Connection

Posted by eph21920 on November 4, 2021 in Connected, Life, Stranger

I have been emailing with the woman who is coordinating to have a Eucharistic Minister bring my dad Holy Communion. I gave her some background on my dad so the person visiting him would have a conversation starter. It turns out the the woman is from a town not too far from where my parents grew up. She told me about some of the places she still visits as she makes annual trips to the state. I read the email to my mom who had special connections with some of the same places – particularly the lake where her father had a cottage. I love finding ways that we are connected with other people that we have never met before.

I Found God today finding life connections.

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Few New Photos

Posted by eph21920 on November 3, 2021 in Family, Happiness, Healing, Home, Life

When we moved my dad into Morning Star, we were very minimalistic. In his apartment we put his bed, a comfy chair, a dresser, and a couple of his photos on the walls. I guess I was hesitant and afraid that he wouldn’t be there long for one reason or another. A few weeks ago, we added a table and a chair for him to do puzzles, or “work”. Recently we set up a video calling system that doubles as a video picture frame. Family members have uploaded pictures to the device which displays them when not on a call. The other day when we were there, I thought the walls looked a little bare. So, my brother picked out a handful more of my dad’s matted pictures and we brought them with us when we visited today. My dad was awake and aware. It’s the best I have seen him in a very long time. We looked at the photos all together. My dad didn’t like some, didn’t remember some, but recognized my mother’s hands on the organ keyboard – one of his favorites. He instructed my brother and I as to where he wanted the others displayed. His apartment looks more like his home now as he continues to get settled. Seeing how happy it made him was such a blessing and gave me new hope.

I Found God today helping my dad be happy.

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Midday Mass

Posted by eph21920 on November 2, 2021 in Death, Eternity, Faith, Grateful, Hope, Prayer

At Mass on Sunday, the pastor announced they would begin having Mass on Tuesdays and Thursdays at noon. The new schedule would begin today, All Souls Day. My mom and I talked about trying to go. Things worked out just fine today so that we were able to attend. It was a blessing to take this time midday and midweek. I appreciated the All Souls Mass and the reminder of how important it is to pray for all those who are deceased – that their souls speedily arrive at the throne of God.

I Found God today praying for all the departed.

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