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Living Saint

Posted by eph21920 on November 3, 2016 in Generosity, Humility, Love, Sacrifice, Saint, Youth

I never met Mother (now Saint) Teresa of Calcutta, but there are plenty of writings about her unassuming presence. She was small in stature, and later in her life she was worn by her work and sacrifice. One would probably not pick her out of a crowd as a woman who “looks” like a saint. A friend of mine has been working with a woman who is a foster parent to teenagers in particular. As she gets to know her, she said she is truly a living saint. She loves each youth that comes into her home and offers them a safe place to live. At the same time, she has a firm hand when needed to try to keep them on the right path. She gives her all to the kids. When someone meets her, they may not think she “appears” to be a saint, but she lives her life simply to help improve the lives for kids in a difficult situation. That is what a saint does.

I Found God today in an example of a living saint.

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Cubs Win

Posted by eph21920 on November 2, 2016 in Happiness, Joy

I like baseball, but I wouldn’t say I am a huge fan. But I did hear about the Chicago Cubs “miraculously” making it to play in the World Series this year. I saw the highlights from each game. When I found that they were playing the 7th game of the series tonight, I just had to watch history in the making. I always root for the underdog and love to see it when they beat the odds. I just knew the Cubs were going to win. It was a nail biter of a game all the way through. The rain delay after the tied 9th inning was ridiculous. Then came the 2 runs by the Cubs and the emotions intensified. After 1 run by the Indians and 2 pitchers in the bottom of the 10th inning, it finally happened. The final out was made and the team erupted along with the fans. The Chicago Cubs won the World Series for the first time in 108 years. As the players were interviewed, they all said the same thing. Through their tears they said that the team would never quit and that they were always there backing up one another. I was overjoyed just watching them.

I Found God today in the sheer joy and camaraderie of a hard fought win.

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Praying With the Saints

Posted by eph21920 on November 1, 2016 in Death, Faith, Grief, Prayer, Saint

Today I went to the caregivers group that I have been attending. When I first met the people there, one gentleman told us that he was caring for his wife who had a stroke that left her in a bad way. He said he was used to her taking care of him and now it was the other way around. Typically he is pretty quiet, but comes up with profound honest words of wisdom at just the right time. Today he was visibly upset and told us that his wife had passed away a few days ago. He was met with love and compassion by every person there. He said he was not going to allow himself to feel guilty for his imperfections. He was told that he was a loving husband – he was there for her always doing the best he could. We encouraged him to keep coming to the group. My parents and I went to church tonight to celebrate All Saints Day. I thought of the man and his wife and lifted them up to the intercession of all the Saints in Heaven. I prayed for comfort and peace. I prayed for her especially during one of the songs that prayed for all those who have died to be with God.

I Found God today being able to pray with all the Saints, especially for those who have died recently and the gentleman from the group and his wife.

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Not So Scary Halloween

Posted by eph21920 on October 31, 2016 in Children, Family, Food, Fun, Grateful, Past

When I was living in my old house, Halloween was a pretty busy night. I lived in a good neighborhood that was frequented by many trick-or-treaters. I used to make hot apple cider for the adults as I handed out the candy. Two years ago, a very good friend and I made our trek from the east coast to the wild, wild west as I moved to be with my parents. On Halloween that night, it was cold and incredibly windy. There was an accident on the highway that brought the lanes to a complete halt, so we consulted the GPS, went over the median to the other side of the highway (as did many others) and turned around. We had a hotel reservation and were confident that the GPS would get us there. At one point we drove down a road with fields, sporadic houses, and hardly any one else driving. The wind howled, the leaves pelted the car, and it was a bit freaky. We were glad when we arrived at the hotel even though there seemed to be many costumed people there. Last year on Halloween, my mother had a stroke. My parents often say that I didn’t know what I was getting into when I moved in with them. I laughingly agree and say it’s probably a good thing as I may not have come. She has been through a lot in the year, but is doing amazingly well. My parents live in a duplex community and do not get any kids on Halloween. This year I was determined to celebrate and have a little fun. Typically for me, that means food. We started this morning with pumpkin pancakes that we made faces out of using apple chunks, raisins, and berries. They were festive and delicious. I also made apple slices drizzled with melted caramel and chocolate, and chocolate candy corn bark. My dad and I stopped at the store and bought a bag of candy – just in case. Of course, we bought all our favorites. In the evening I went for a walk around the neighborhood of houses adjacent to the complex to see them decorated with blow-up figures, spider webs, and graveyards. There were several costumed kids playing outside. I came across one little band of very young children accompanied by an older one who was taking them trick-or-treating before it got too dark or late. It was a very cute scene. In all, I was happy it was a not so scary Halloween this year. Even though we didn’t get any kids at the door, it was rather enjoyable.

I Found God today enjoying a Halloween that was not so scary.

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Sitting Up Close

Posted by eph21920 on October 30, 2016 in Faith, Jesus, Life, Priest, Relationship

Today we went to church in the little old town near the cabin. I love going there. It is a small old church with a small tight knit, yet welcoming community. My mom was unsure about walking in the line to receive Communion, so she talked to the people there before Mass started. They sent her to sit up in the front pew and the priest would give her Communion right there so she wouldn’t have to walk at all. You get a different perspective sitting in the front. The priest is a very vibrant man with a big voice. That was even more pronounced sitting so close. One of the scripture readings was the story of Zacchaeus. The homily the priest gave was very powerful and I know I won’t be able to give it justice in this blog. He talked about how Zacchaeus was a swindler and made himself very rich off the backs of the less fortunate. Yet, for some reason, when Jesus made his was to the town, Zacchaeus had to see him. He was so determined that he climbed up a tree to catch of glimpse of Him. The scripture tells us that Jesus intended to pass through the town, but Zacchaeus caught His eye. Jesus went to his house where Zacchaeus basically made a public confession about his evil ways and promised to make amends. His life changed forever when he encountered Jesus. When he reached out, Jesus showed up. I thought about my own encounter with Jesus that I experienced at a retreat many years ago. I was overwhelmed by a feeling of love, joy, and peace. That set me on a path that I would never have anticipated. I knew I couldn’t live my life without a relationship with Christ. The priest then asked the question, “What is the difference between those who are committed to faith and those who vacillate?” He said that those who are committed realize that they need God. That struck me as well. I remember a time when someone said I was, “Holier than thou” as I was going to church when we were out camping. I was taken aback and said that I wasn’t “holier”, but perhaps I was needier. I found myself welling up with tears more than once during the homily. Maybe it was because we were sitting so close and felt more present. Maybe it was because I was reminded just how much my relationship with God means to me.

I Found God today remembering how much I need Him.

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Be That Tree

Posted by eph21920 on October 29, 2016 in Creation

I have been reading scripture about Creation and how wonderfully made our world is. I was happy to actually experience nature today. We made a trip to the cabin in the mountains yesterday to enjoy what could be the last beautiful weather before winter. When we looked at the pictures taken by the game cam, it was awesome to find deer as usual, a fox, and 2 bobcats walking together. When I went to bed last night, I left my door to the deck open just a little to let in the fresh air and pretend that I was camping. Sometime during the night I heard what I thought was a dog. As I continued to listen, there was a distinct pattern to the baying. It was likely a coyote. I listened for a while and the sound was too far away to get excited, so I drifted back to sleep. This morning we filled the bird feeders and I sat out on the deck for quite some time watching the birds of all sizes and colors flit back and forth. I thought it was quite an amazing little eco-system of its own. Some of the smaller birds perched at the feeders and dug through the seeds throwing out what they didn’t want. Other birds were happy to come behind and glean off the ground. One little bird was looking intently at me, perhaps trying to figure out what I was. Eventually he flew around my head a bit and landed on my chair to get a closer look. Once he decided I wasn’t that interesting, he flew back to the feeder. In the afternoon I took a long hike by myself armed with a walking stick and pepper spray – just in case. In a particularly wooded area, I scared up a deer only a few feet ahead of me. It took a minute to catch my breath before I continued on. I made my way down into a valley and crossed a little stream that was strewn with multi-colored leaves that once clung to the tree branches. When I returned to the house, I sat on one of my favorite rocks and just enjoyed the scenery and the weather. As the sun descended in the sky, it made for intense colors and long shadows. I took a few pictures and noticed my shadow on one of the tree trunks. It reminded me of a commercial I saw a while back for Arbor Day. A little girl was talking about how much fun is was to play outside and get dirty. She said, ” .. . you can actually be that tree.” I always thought that was a silly statement. But there I was a part of that tree. The day ended with a gorgeous sunset and one lone star in the sky. It was a such a beautiful day.

I Found God today communing with nature.

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Patience at the Checkout

Posted by eph21920 on October 28, 2016 in Patience, Stranger

I try to get to the grocery store during times that are not too busy. However, my latest trip happened about the same time people get out of work and stop at the store on their way home. The check out lanes in the store I go to have what I like to call a traffic controller. When I reached the lanes, they were pretty full. I got behind a man whose cart was overflowing. The traffic controller showed him another lane that would be faster, so he changed to the next one over. After a bit, an older man got behind him with only 2 little pumpkins. The man with the full cart told him he could go first. I thought that was very nice. As the pumpkin man was checking out, a young man holding a few items came up to the man with the cart and asked if he could go before him since he only had a few things. The man said that was fine. But the woman checker did not think it was fine. She told the young man that he had just let the pumpkin man in front of him. The man with the cart insisted that it was OK. The young man stood there in front of him for a few seconds, then evidently found another option. He said nevermind and hurried off. The man with the overflowing cart never got upset, never said anything negative, just calmly made his purchase and headed out. I was impressed.

I Found God today in a very patient man.

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Another Amazing Recovery

Posted by eph21920 on October 27, 2016 in Family, Grateful, Healing, Life, Sick

It has been about 6 weeks now since my mom has come home from her last bout in the hospital and rehab. Since then she has had a nurse, occupational therapy, and physical therapy come to the house to help her continue to gain strength and endurance. When she first came home, we used a wheelchair to take her to doctor’s appointments. Then we moved up to the walker. Today, she just used her cane. She also had her last day of physical therapy at home. I am just in awe at how she has rebounded once again. She is a very strong and determined woman. She decides she is going to get better and works very hard at it. Even the therapists recognized that trait in her. At a doctor’s appointment this week, the doctor who saw her in the hospital said that he was really worried about her and he was very glad to see her doing so well. As my mom and I talked about that on the way home, we realized that she didn’t remember most of the hospital stay and much of her time in the rehab facility. But now, she is up and moving as before, her cognition has improved, she is back to playing the piano, and she still laughs. We both are that much more grateful for the amazing recovery she has made.

I Found God today as my mom made another amazing recovery.

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Life of Laughter

Posted by eph21920 on October 25, 2016 in Connected, Death, Friends, Hope, Laughter

When I worked for a retail store many, many years ago, we were like a family. As time went on, people went many different directions, but a large number of people stayed in touch. One good friend in particular seems to be connected to just about everyone. She contacted me the other day and told me that the woman who used to be my boss was in town and wanted to get together. She and her husband had moved to another state and I had not seen her in about 20 years. A group of us got together tonight. I saw my bosses daughter first who looked older, but mostly the same. Then I spotted my old boss and recognized her right away. She, too, looked older but mostly the same. We got caught up over the last 20 years as if it were just a few days. Her husband passed away a few years ago. She talked about how they would laugh together every single day. She said that at the end of his life, they were laughing about something – she didn’t remember exactly what it was – then he collapsed in her arms and died. While it was painful, she said that was how it was meant to be. She said she knows he is in heaven and realizes that this life is short and should be lived to its fullest every day. That was a very difficult year for her as she was treated for cancer and her mother also died shortly after. She said she figures if she made it through all that, she could make it through anything. She loves her life now, takes things as they come, and makes plans on the spur of the moment. It was so good to see her.

I Found God today in life lessons from an old friend.

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Back Online

Posted by eph21920 on October 24, 2016 in Connected, Family, Grateful

I misplaced my phone the other day. I did everything I knew to do find it with no luck. So, I ended up deactivating it, erasing it, and ordering a new one through the insurance plan. I had to wait a couple of days for it to come in the mail. During that time, I used my computer somewhat, and made calls on the land line. I even used the phone in the car the other day to touch base with my parents. Today the new phone arrived. I spent much of the day getting it activated and set up. I was so glad that I listened to my son’s who taught me how to sync the phone and computer and how to make sure that my photos, calendar, contacts, and important things were backed up. And I was pretty proud of myself for getting everything back on to the new phone. During those few days without my phone, I must admit that it was a bit quieter and I didn’t waste as much time just looking at random videos and such. But I missed being easily connected to friends and family and not being able to take and share photos. This evening as I was texting my family, my mom somewhat jokingly commented how nice it was to hear my phone make it’s little noises.

I Found God today getting reconnected.

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