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Funeral From Afar

Posted by eph21920 on June 6, 2020 in Connected, Death, Family, Generosity, Grateful, Humility, Present

A few months ago, my dad’s cousin passed away at 95 years of age. This happened at the beginning of the Covid-19 restrictions. Today, the family held a funeral for him and livestreamed it for others to participate. We were happy to be able to watch. There was a table set up at the front of the church that held a photo of him, memorabilia, an American flag, and his cremains. He was a woodworker and the priest pointed out that he had made his own urn, which was a beautiful wooden box. He also made some of the necklaces that the Eucharistic ministers wore in that church. The service was just as touching as it would be in person. His children reflected on his life of simplicity and generosity. He helped others and gave to others without making it known. Evidently, people would tell the children later what their father had done for them. He said they didn’t have a lot of money, but they did have a lot of fun. One of the siblings commented that she didn’t know how much money they did or did not have, but they had everything they needed and then some, and that was being truly rich. She said her dad was a teacher and always taught by being a part of the lesson. In these unusual times, he certainly was continuing that as the children had to figure out the best way to honor their father and others without having a large funeral. Just listening to the service was enlightening for me and I am grateful that we were able to be present.

I Found God today in a beautiful memorial for a wonderful man.

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New Pacemaker

Posted by eph21920 on June 5, 2020 in Doctor, Family, Grateful, Healing, Knowledge, Prayer

Every 3 months for the past 5 years, my mom has used a special monitor to download her pacemaker information. The report goes to an office who contacts her cardiologist. Part of the data includes how long the life of the battery in the pacemaker has left. For the past year, it had been counting down the months. The cardiologist decided it was time to replace it and today was the day. According to the last instructions we had received, the hospital was not allowing anyone to stay with the patients. My sister arrived at the house bright and early this morning to stay with my dad while I took my mom. When we checked in and arrived on the floor, we were told that they had changed the rules and that 1 person could stay. I was so happy to hear that. The nurse’s name was Nenita – so close to my mom’s it was funny. I noticed she was wearing what appeared to be a miraculous medal. When I asked her about it, she told us the story of a miraculous healing she experienced. She had a large mass, but when it came time to do surgery, the mass was gone. She attributed it to all the prayers she and others had said. She wore the miraculous medal, one of St. Anthony, one of St. Jude, and a crucifix. She was a beautiful soul. The morning couldn’t have gone any better. They actually replace the pacemaker itself, not a battery. The cardiologist explained this was the least complicated surgery he performed. They actually got my mom in earlier than scheduled and the procedure itself last only about 45 minutes. They didn’t even use anesthesia. When my mom returned to the room, she said she didn’t feel a thing. Everyone was happy to hear that. She napped a bit, then ate breakfast like she hadn’t eaten for a week. Everything went very well and we even made it home in time for lunch. She is doing great. The technology and procedures make it pretty easy to do something that can seem pretty scary. The care and knowledge of the nurses and doctors made the worrisome surgery very non threatening.

I Found God today in my mom’s successful surgery.

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Plan Worked

Posted by eph21920 on June 4, 2020 in Answer, Family, Healing, Life, Plan, Shopping

Last week, my dad had a fairly large cancer spot removed from his arm. Despite the very ugly bruise, the wound healed very well. This morning he had the appointment to have the stitches taken out. My mom’s Parkinson’s exercise class was held online about the same time. I signed into that and got her all set up before we left. Yesterday, I ordered groceries to be picked up this morning as well. So, my dad and I went to the dermatologist and had his stitches removed, then we went to the grocery store and picked up the groceries I ordered, finally we drove through the pharmacy to pick up prescriptions, and we were home before my mom’s exercise class had even finished. It was quite a productive time for us all. I love it when a plan works out in real life the same way it does in my mind.

I Found God today in a best laid plan that actually worked out.

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Needed Message

Posted by eph21920 on June 3, 2020 in Answer, Bible, Connected, Faith, Hope, Life, Love, Peace, Prayer

I met with some of my prayer group tonight and as we were looking over the scripture readings for the upcoming Sunday’s Mass, one of the ladies pointed out the 2nd reading for that day. It was a much needed and pertinent message at this time:

2 COR 13:11-13
“Brothers and sisters, rejoice. Mend your ways, encourage one another,
agree with one another, live in peace, and the God of love and peace will be with you. Greet one another with a holy kiss. All the holy ones greet you. The grace of the Lord Jesus Christ and the love of God and the fellowship of the Holy Spirit be with all of you.”

The Gospel reading is John 3:16, “God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life.” How we all hope and pray that people will turn to Him for peace, justice, love, ultimately eternal life.

I Found God today in very timely and pertinent Words from God.

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Change of Scenery

Posted by eph21920 on June 2, 2020 in Creation, Family, Happiness, Life, Opportunity

It was a very warm day today and we have been going a little stir crazy, so I suggested a drive. We ended up in our favorite park. The last time we went there, we found a small handicapped parking lot off the beaten path and decided to go there. When we arrived, there was only 1 other car in the area. That was a good sign, so we got out and walked around a bit. We did pass a few people in our wandering, but everyone was respectful of keeping their distance. My mom and dad enjoyed the new and different view of the scenery taking the new path. It gave us all a lift.

I Found God today in a change of scenery.

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Welcomed Webinar

Posted by eph21920 on June 1, 2020 in Answer, Family, Grateful, Home, Life

I was happy to be able to attend a webinar this morning focused on supporting caregivers. The speakers not only acknowledged the struggles of caregivers, especially during this pandemic, but offered tangible assistance. They presented different ways of making sure caregivers take care of themselves so they can take care of their loved ones. I had heard many of the suggestions before, but had forgotten. I was grateful to revisit those thoughts and hear new ones as well.

I Found God today being supported in care giving.

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NASA Overload

Posted by eph21920 on May 31, 2020 in Creation, Knowledge, Life, Opportunity, Teacher

In 1989, my dad published the first edition of his text book, “Introduction to Space: The Science of Space Flight”. At that time he was teaching at the local college and was unable to find an adequate text book on the topic. So he wrote his own and taught the course. He updated the book often, completing the 4th and final edition in 2011. Needless to say, he was an expert on the subject. When we learned that Spacex and NASA were sending astronauts to the Space Station, we found the NASA channel on the big TV and got comfortable. When the rocket launched, my dad and mom remembered the time when they witnessed a space shuttle launch at the Kennedy Space Center. The event was still as exciting as before. Over the next 2 days, we watched the launch and the docking of the Dragon with International Space Station. Then, after discussing it with during the family ZOOM session, we watched more rocket launches by Spacex. We were in awe of the radical development of technology, particularly the ability of the launch rockets to come back and land to be reused. Over the past couple days, we have seen amazing technology at work, safety for astronauts, world wide wishes of good will, and overwhelming views of our planet Earth. We are small indeed in the scope of the infinite universe.

I Found God today in the talents of those who create ways to explore our universe and give us a different vision for our world.

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Loving Marriage

Posted by eph21920 on May 30, 2020 in Begin, Connected, Family, Happiness, Joy, Life, Love, Marriage

My nephew and his girlfriend announced a while back that they were engaged to be married. They wanted to have the wedding this Spring and had been thinking about what that might look like. Due to the current circumstances, they decided to have the marriage ceremony in a park with only their parents in attendance. The wedding was this afternoon. I thought of them often during the day and chatted with my sister a little. She was of course a bundle of conflicting emotions as parent’s (especially mother’s) are at times like this. She shared a couple of pictures after the wedding. It was very low key, simple, and sweet. The love my nephew and his now wife have for each other was visible. In one photo, they are standing on a hill overlooking a beautiful scene. My dad remarked, “There they are looking into their future.” I am so happy for them as they begin a new life together and pray their love deepens over the years. They are planning on a big wedding next year for all their friends and family to celebrate together with them. We are all looking forward to that.

I Found God today as my nephew and his love got married.

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Neighbors Helping Neighbors

Posted by eph21920 on May 29, 2020 in Friends, Generosity, Grateful

Today was “mulch day” at the housing complex where we live. Large mounds of mulch were dropped off in the parking lots and residents were able to get what they needed to beautify their garden areas. However, there are many elderly and/or people who are unable to do that kind of work. So, several neighbors volunteered to help. Our “roofmate” who lives in the other half of the duplex put new mulch in his garden area. Then, he filled containers and brought it to our neighbor across the sidewalk. He then delivered piles of the mulch to our yard and spread much of it. And he plans to be back at it tomorrow, helping even more neighbors. He is just one example of neighborly care. We are truly blessed with the generous and thoughtful people who live in this complex.

I Found God today in generous and caring neighbors.

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Faithfulness

Posted by eph21920 on May 28, 2020 in Answer, Faith, Life

All this week I have been reading prayers and listening to meditations all geared toward preparing for Pentecost and becoming more aware of the availability of the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Today I read,

“It can be so difficult to follow Jesus every single day in every little way. Keeping His commandments does not always come naturally for most of us. God calls us to be heroic in our virtue and selfless with others. This is not easy. In fact, it is impossible on our own! But, with God all things are possible!”

That was a very comforting reminder of the need to be faithful and God’s faithfulness to me.

I Found God today in a reminder of His faithfulness to me.

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