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Sharing Mom’s Memories

Posted by eph21920 on December 12, 2024 in Connected, Friends, Grateful, Grief, Life, Past

A few days ago I sent out Christmas cards and notes to everyone on my mom’s list. Honestly, I couldn’t remember exactly who I talked to after she died. So, I had to break the news to those who we only heard from once or twice a year now. Today I received a text from a woman who used to be our neighbor here in the city about 55 years ago. I remembered playing with her children when I was a kid. The note was unexpected and caught me off guard as I cried reading it. She was so sad to hear of my mom’s passing and had such kind things to say about her. She also shared words of encouragement for me. We wanted to get together last year, but she had health problems as well. We texted back and forth a couple of times as we shared family updates. I hope to visit her after Christmas. I felt very blessed to have the conversation with her and share memories of my mom and family.

I Found God today sharing my mom’s memories with a long time friend.

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Hot Cocoa Bombs

Posted by eph21920 on December 11, 2024 in Family, Food, Fun, Grateful

In the past, my daughter in law has made amazingly beautiful and delicious hot cocoa bombs. She wasn’t going to do it this year, so I thought I would give it a try. I did enlist her help, however. She came over this morning and showed me all her tricks. A few hours later, we had 4 awesome ornament decorated chocolate balls filled with hot chocolate mix, marshmallows, and crushed candy canes. It was a process and my daughter in law was so patient with me. We also visited a lot and she told me all about the weekend they spent in the mountains for her husband’s company Christmas party. I am very grateful to have this relationship with her.

I Found God today in my relationship with my daughter in law.

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Sharing Treats

Posted by eph21920 on December 10, 2024 in Food, Friends, Happiness, Joy

Today I made some cookies. Tonight I had dinner with some long time friends. I gave them each a box of treats. They were so happy to have them. I realized that for the past couple of days, I have been pretty joyful spending time making goodies and putting them together for my friends. And it made me happy to make my friends happy.

I Found God today sharing treats with friends.

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Making Treats

Posted by eph21920 on December 9, 2024 in Food, Fun, Home

It was a snowy day today. Luckily, I had planned ahead. I went to Mass first thing this morning to celebrate the Immaculate Conception. Then I went to the store and bought ingredients to make some treats to share. When I got home it had just started snowing. I turned on some Advent music and got to work. It had been a very long time since I made truffles, but that’s what I wanted to do. I had to learn how to make them all over again. It was an all day process, but they turned out pretty good. I had fun and thought it was the best way to spend a snowy day.

I Found God today making treats to share.

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Notre Dame Cathedral Reopened

Posted by eph21920 on December 8, 2024 in Eucharist, Faith, New, Priest

Tonight I watched some of the Mass of the reopening of the Notre Dame Cathedral. It took 5 years and $1 billion in donations to rebuild and complete the structure since the fire in 2019. In the homily by Archbishop Laurent Ulrich of Paris, he stated, “Generation after generation – believers experience it – the Lord does not abandon his own. Even if distress and violence do not cease throughout the history of men, it is God and his disciples who feed on his strength to show the way to the victory of life.” The bronze, plain, half moon shaped altar was the center of attention and was consecrated. I had never seen such a thing. As in the Catholic faith, everything is done for a symbolic reason. There were relics of 5 saints embedded into the middle of the altar, remembering the tradition of ancient times. When Christianity was young and illegal, people would go to the catacombs to celebrate Mass over the tombs of the martyrs. Once Christianity became legal, worshippers wanted to keep their predecessors close, so they started putting a small part of the saint’s bone or belonging in the altars. Once the relics were placed in the altar at the Cathedral of Notre Dame, the Archbishop poured chrism oil over the altar, starting with 5 small pools which represented the 5 wounds of Christ. He then spread the oil – which is fragrant and symbolized the Holy Spirit – all over the altar. As he did this, the 5 keyboard organ played wildly. Small burners of incense were then placed on the altar. The smoke rose just as our prayers rise to heaven. The altar was wiped of excess oil and set with the usual altar cloths. Then Mass continued as usual. The cathedral and the celebration was a sight to behold. I loved the snippets of close-ups of the art and details of the structure, inside and outside. And I loved the hearing the organ and the huge, choir. If you were there, it would have been quite a sensory experience, which was also intentional as we praise and glorify God with all our senses.

I Found God today seeing the Notre Dame Cathedral reopening celebration.

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Padre Pio Docudrama

Posted by eph21920 on December 7, 2024 in Faith, Healing, Hope, Humility, Jesus, Miracle, Movie, Priest, Struggles

Tonight as I was cooking dinner, I clicked on the TV. It was on the EWTN channel. They were playing the docudrama “Saint Pio of Pietrelcina – Man of Hope and Healing” Padre Pio has always fascinated me and I wanted to know more about him, so I watched. The movie included first hand accounts by people who actually met him and/or knew him. One person was a child when he met Padre Pio. At the time, German soldiers occupied the school, so the children went to the convent where they were invited to participate in the Mass. This particular young man became the photographer of Padre Pio. The gentleman once took a photo of him during Mass with a flash, which startled the priest who told him he couldn’t do that. The young photographer said that the flash was needed in the church to make it work. Padre Pio gave the young man permission to take as many photos as he wanted without the flash and said not to worry. The photographer was sad as he knew the light was so dim in the church, that the photos would not turn out. He snapped a few pictures at Mass with no flash to show Padre Pio what he meant. However, when he developed the photos, it was like they were taken in the sunlight. The photographer said that Padre Pio brought the light. Padre Pio also met with many American GI’s. He was a humble priest in love with the Lord so much that he bore the wounds of Christ in his hands – the stigmata. There were countless stories of healing, conversion, and some controversy as well. It was a beautiful movie about a holy man that left me in awe of his faith. Later I realized that I was wearing socks that had a quote by St. Padre Pio on them, “Pray, hope, and don’t worry”. Coincidence?

I Found God today in a connection with St. Padre Pio.

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The Clock is Back

Posted by eph21920 on December 6, 2024 in Answer, Family, Grateful, Home, Past

Almost 2 years ago, I was winding the wall clock that my parents purchased in Germany, and the spring broke. I felt terrible. My parents had taken the clock to the local repair shop in the past, so that is what I planned on doing too. When I called them, I was told there was a waiting list of several months. I couldn’t find another clock repair shop in the city, so I put my name on the list and hoped for the best. I received a call from the shop about 6 months ago that I could bring the clock in. They called again to report the repairs that would be necessary. Finally, they notified me yesterday that the clock was repaired and ready. I went to the shop to pick it up this afternoon. They brought it out and set it on the counter. It was so clean and shiny. I talked with the people there who gave me information about how to best care for the clock that I didn’t know. The gentleman assured me that I didn’t do anything to break the clock. The spring was just worn out. I was grateful for that. On the way home, I loved hearing the chimes tinkling as the rods touched each other when I went over bumps. The people at the shop said it wouldn’t hurt them. When I arrived home, I was able to get the clock out of the back of the car. My son came over and placed the clock back on it’s hook. It looked wonderful back in it’s spot. The clock has been a staple in the house for 50 years and I missed it. I wound it and set the time. I’ve been enjoying listening to the rhythmic ticking and the chimes every 15 minutes. I told my sister that the clock had returned and she pointed out that it is a true Christmas gift. I agreed.

I Found God today getting a family heirloom returned.

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Christmas Flowers

Posted by eph21920 on December 5, 2024 in Advent, Death, Family, Love

It was a beautiful day today, so I took advantage of the opportunity and decided to go to the cemetery. I remembered that you could start putting artificial flowers on the sites starting December 1. I went to the craft store and perused the different single stemmed flowers. I don’t feel I have the talent to arrange flowers, so I kept walking down the aisles. Then I came across the Christmas decorations. There were several options of flowers that were in bunches. I chose some greens with festive decorations, a bunch of red poinsettias, and a bunch of white poinsettias. When I arrived at the cemetery, there was a group of people who had arrived for a funeral. I remembered being in that space with both my parents. I went into the building and got a flag to place at the graveside as well. I took my time getting everything arranged just so. At one point I heard the rifles shooting their salute to the recently deceased. My thoughts went right back to my dad’s funeral, including the intense moment when my mom was handed the American flag. Once I had placed the flowers and the flag, I sat down facing the engraved side that had my mom’s information which included, “Forever in our hearts.” This statement was so true. After sitting, praying, crying, and talking for a while, I went around the other side of the stone and sat down facing my dad’s information and repeated the process. It was difficult and sad. At the same time, my heart swelled as I remembered their love for life, for one another, and for their family. I was glad I went and brought the Christmas flowers to brighten the atmosphere, to honor them, and to include them in the season.

I Found God today actively remembering my parents.

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Cleansing

Posted by eph21920 on December 4, 2024 in Advent, Faith, Food, Forgiveness, Grateful, New

Today my parish made the Sacrament of Confession available almost all day. So I went. It’s always a bittersweet experience, but feels cleansing. Afterwards I went to Mass with my priest friend. I was happy to catch up with him a bit. Then I had my appointment with my counselor. She does a great job of helping me to see things in a different light. On a more physical level, my daughter in law, granddaughter and I did our nails this afternoon. It always feels good to get a fresh manicure. In the evening I finished my leftovers for dinner and cleaned out the refrigerator. I felt like I had a fresh start in so many ways today and was grateful.

I Found God today in cleansing.

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Great Food Wonderful Friend

Posted by eph21920 on December 3, 2024 in Food, Friends, Generosity, Grateful, Joy, Life

Today a friend took me to lunch as a birthday present. We went to a favorite German restaurant. The place was very busy and we were seated in a cozy booth in the lower level. I didn’t even know there was a lower level as I had always been there with my mom who wasn’t able to take the stairs. My friend had never been down there either, so it was a new experience for both of us. We both ate only half our meal as we wanted to save plenty of room for black forest cake. At the restaurant, we talked and laughed and lamented and reminisced. We actually stayed so long that we were the only ones left in the area and the wait staff came by to make sure we were alright. When we left we committed to going back in January for my friend’s birthday. I am so grateful for our friendship. She brought her leftovers home to her mom and made her very happy. I plan on making myself happy by enjoying the food again tomorrow.

I Found God today in great food and wonderful friend.

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