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Excellent Timing

This afternoon we planned on leaving from the cabin to head home. We figured out the timing so we would reach the city before dark and find a place to take a picture of the rising almost super moon. But, my dad discovered a problem that needed some attention. It didn’t set us back too far – we left about half an hour later than planned. When we reached the main road, there was a traffic back up as workers were cleaning up an accident. We wondered if we would have been involved in the accident had we left when we intended. When we got to the city, we drove to the place where we thought we would have a good view of the moon rising over the city. Unfortunately, there was a bank of clouds low in the sky. As we drove around trying to find a place to park, suddenly the large moon appeared in the sky. We pulled right into a big parking lot that gave the view we were looking for. The moon was actually too high in the sky, but now we have found a great vantage point to go back to. As we continued home, it was dark enough to tour the neighborhood and look at all the Christmas lights. Later, I went to the community mail box. One of the neighbors who is in a wheelchair arrived with his dog. The dog pulled suddenly and got away. I went after her and she came to me after a little coaxing. I grabbed her leash and brought her back to her owner. I was glad I was there just at the right time. The whole evening seemed to follow the pattern. There were actually a couple of more instances and my mom, dad, and I talked about how the evening seemed to have perfect timing all around.

I Found God today in the excellent timing of the evening.

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Walking Strong

We spent some time at the cabin today enjoying the beautiful weather. As usual, my mom and I went for a walk in the afternoon. The driveway and road are all gravel and it is difficult to use her walker, so my mom takes her cane instead. She hangs onto my arm especially up and down the sloping driveway. Today, she walked further than she has yet in the 3 years I have been with them. She navigated the gravel road mostly on her own, took big steps, and even swung her arm that wasn’t holding the cane. I was impressed. And so was she.

I Found God today seeing my mom walking strong.

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Creatively Enjoying Creation

My dad got me a new “real” camera for my birthday a couple of weeks ago. I have been playing around with it and figuring out how it works. This evening, I went outside and took some shots of the near full moon and the sunset. The results were amazing. I even impressed my dad the photographer. I got some pictures of the moon so close up that you can see details on individual craters. It is great fun learning how the camera works and seeing creation in a whole new way.

I Found God today being creative and enjoying creation.

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Dance-Off

At my mom’s Parkinson’s exercise class, there are several college students who help and learn at the same time. They serve as “spotters”. They stay close to each participant in case they become off balance or start to fall. The young adults also come up with different activities or “stations” for the participants to work through. A couple of weeks ago, the focus was on fine motor skills. My mom made an origami fish. The student who worked with her was so excited as this was her first time making origami. I got a picture of the two of them with their fish looking as proud as can be. In general, it is difficult for Parkinsonians to move. They have to think about every move they make even to do “normal” things they have done all their life. Yet, in the class, with young people encouraging them, they do so well. Today, they worked on big movements, balance, and strength. One of the stations was a dance off led by the teacher. She showed my mom some moves and my mom quickly joined in. She was really going and everyone was cheering. They figured my mom won. I haven’t seen her move like that at all in the 3 years I have been here.

I Found God today in my mom being able to move.

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Ironically Dated Letter

As my dad continues to sort through old family memorabilia, he has come across very interesting photos, articles, and writings. Today he found a letter that was written by his uncle in 1969. Ironically, the date on the letter was the same as that of his sudden death. He must have written the letter and sent it to my dad’s parents early in the day as he unexpectedly died that night. In the letter, the uncle says that he read an article in the paper about a food collection for starving Africans. He thought about the food that was thrown out by the truckload and the money that is spent for landing on the moon. He said it didn’t make any sense. My dad talked about how the man was very soft spoken and very thoughtful. I thought how interesting it was that it meant so much to the man that he included it in his letter that day. I also thought it interesting that 50 years later, the same issue remains. Of course, Jesus said 2000 years ago that the poor would always be with us. But, it just seems wrong that after all this time, no one has come up with a solution to world hunger. The ironically dated letter brought to light the fact that we really do not know when or how our “time will come” and how important it is to share our love while we can.

I Found God today in an interesting letter by a thoughtful man.

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Meeting People

Tonight I met an older woman who shared a little about her life story. Her husband died suddenly nearly 20 years ago. She has an older son with Asperger’s who lives with her. Evidently, many people with Asperger’s have strong capabilities in different areas. She said her son isn’t really like that, but he does have a sense of people upon meeting them right away. He seems to be able to tell if they are “good” or “bad”. The woman jokingly added that she should listen to him more often. She said he is a blessing. I thought that was beautiful.

I Found God today in a loving mother.

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Retreat High

Today at church, the priest talked about a national youth conference he recently attended with some of the high school teens from the parish. It was obvious that he was very excited as he shared how proud he was of the kids and so impressed with their behavior and faith. He was kind of all over the place in his message and did ramble some in his exuberance. He talked about feeling the “retreat high” that comes from spending a couple of days away and focusing on the love and mercy of God. I could very much relate to that feeling and my heart raced a little as I thought about some of the specific retreats I attended with youth. They were energizing, exhausting, and sometimes spiritually overwhelming. That “retreat high” would usually last for days and slowly diminish. But I believe I would come away from each one having grown closer to God in some way that would make a lasting impact.

I Found God today realizing how my faith grew through youth and retreats.

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The Nutcracker

Today my dad, mom, sister, and I went to see the Nutcracker Ballet. It had been a long time since I had seen the show and it really seems to kick off the Christmas season. The dancers were very good and the sets were beautiful. I love the contrast between the semi-professional dancers and the children. As I watched, I thought about my friend whose daughter is performing as Clara with the Boston Ballet for her third year. I was a little envious of my friends who live close there and are able to see her. The family has made a lot of sacrifices in order for this to happen. But they do their best to stay grounded in faith. Their local Diocese even highlighted the story in their magazine. It is a beautiful article that I found very inspiring. You can read it HERE.

I Found God today watching a beautiful performance and thinking of my friend in faith.

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Grandfather the Magician

My sister and my dad worked long and hard today on the scrapbook pages about my grandfather the magician. One year when he came out for a visit, he went into our grade school classes and performed some of his illusions. He kept all kinds of memorabilia, including thank you notes sent by the children after the show. Two of the notes were particularly amusing. They read:

“Thank you for the wonderful show you gave us, I enjoyed it very much. I tried that trick where you make the magic wand stay in the air and the napkin trick on my mother and father. They all were surprised. I wish you could come again. I’d call you a saint of magic.”

“That was fun to watch. I wish I could do that too. You are almost like God.”

It was fun to see the wonder through the children’s experience.

I Found God today remembering my grandfather and what an impact his magic could have on others.

 

 

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Thankful Notes

Yesterday I spent the day in the kitchen getting ready for the Thanksgiving meal. I saw an idea of baking “thankful notes” in the dinner rolls – like a fortune cookie. I thought that was a great idea. I asked my mom what she was thankful for this year, made each one into a note and baked them into the homemade rolls. It was a fun surprise for people to open at the meal. Here is the list:

Grateful for family that lives close by and gets to visit.
Thankful for health and that no one had a hospital stay in 1 year.
Grateful for our homes.
Thankful for the piano and ability to play and enjoy music.
Grateful for technology – medically such as pacemakers and communications so we can see and talk to people far away.

Thankful for friends who stay close.
Grateful to live in such a beautiful place.
Thankful to be able to experience nature – animals, plants, sunrises, sunsets.
Grateful for the jobs and money to afford the necessities.
Thankful for new and helpful people and experiences.
Grateful for faith, trust, hope, love.
Thankful for a mind capable of thought.

I Found God today being grateful through my mom’s view.