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Self Care

Posted by eph21920 on September 27, 2023 in Answer, Connected, Faith, Grateful, Grief, Healing, Humility, Life, Peace, Struggles

I was talking with my counselor today and reflecting on what it means to take care of myself. I had been attending a caregiver group at the Aging Center for a couple of years, which was helpful to some degree. After my dad died last year, I knew I was a mess. I tried a couple of grief support groups which were beneficial to some extent, but I was still struggling. The facilitator of the caregiver group highly recommended I go to individual counseling and connected me with the program. As difficult as it was, I started going. Not too long ago, I also started meeting with a Stephen Minister at the prompting of the people I had connected with at the church. She is more of a spiritual guide as we talk and pray about my relationship with God. I do feel myself more accepting and at peace. As I was reviewing all of this today, I realized that working on my mental, emotional, and spiritual state of being was the best form of caring for myself I could do. It not only helps to settle me, it makes me a better person for those I love. Even though I knew I was a mess, it was hard for me to accept help. I knew God could just fix me, but I am also not strong enough to go it on my own. I still have much work to do, but acknowledging progress was very encouraging. I am grateful for those who strongly directed me to get help and those who listen to me, pray with me, and help me to unravel my mess within.

I Found God today in the help He has provided.

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Mother Mary

Posted by eph21920 on September 25, 2023 in Answer, Faith, Humility, Music, Struggles

The other day, I was introduced to the song, “Mother Mary”, by Eric Clapton. It has been running through my head today and I am grateful for that. He wrote the song after a band member had died, Richard Manuel. Clapton himself had hit rock bottom, abusing alcohol. In “Clapton: The Autobiography,” he wrote: “I was in complete despair. In the privacy of my room, I begged for help. From that day until this, I have never failed to pray in the morning, on my knees, asking for help, and at night, to express gratitude for my life and, most of all, for my sobriety.” I think it takes a great deal of humility for someone – especially one who is famous – to admit they need help and that they cannot go it alone. The song is a beautiful, heart wrenching, and something that I think everyone can identify with. Here is the video with Luciano Pavarotti and here are the lyrics:

Holy Mother, where are you?
Tonight I feel broken in two.
I’ve seen the stars fall from the sky.
Holy mother, can’t keep from crying.


Oh I need your help this time,
Get me through this lonely night.
Tell me please which way to turn
To find myself again.


Holy mother, hear my prayer,
Somehow I know you’re still there.
Send me please some peace of mind;
Take away this pain.


I can’t wait, I can’t wait, I can’t wait any longer.
I can’t wait, I can’t wait, I can’t wait for you.


Holy mother, hear my cry,
I’ve cursed your name a thousand times.
I’ve felt the anger running through my soul;
All I need is a hand to hold.


Oh I feel the end has come,
No longer my legs will run.
You know I would rather be
In your arms tonight.


When my hands no longer play,
My voice is still, I fade away.
Holy mother, then I’ll be
Lying in, safe within your arms.

I Found God today in a humble cry for help and an answered prayer.

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Many Blessings

Posted by eph21920 on September 24, 2023 in Connected, Faith, Family, Grateful, Healing, Life, Priest, Sick

I was able to get my COVID vaccine on Friday evening. As expected, I felt awful all day Saturday. But, I figured 48 hours of feeling terrible was better than weeks. I certainly did not want to be sick for Christmas again this year. My sister was on for caring for my mom. We had a box of plums, so they made a pflaum kuchen together. I was grateful that my sister was here and that she engages my mom in a different way from me. It’s so good for my mom. I was also grateful that I was able to rest and am feeling so much better today.

Today the Mass intention was for my dad. My mom woke up tired this morning and went back to bed after breakfast. Luckily, we planned on the later Mass, so when she woke up she was ready to go. We were happy to see the priest who anointed her a couple weeks ago. He talked with us a little after Mass. It was beautiful. Afte that, my mom had an amazing day. She was energetic and active for most of it. I figured that while we were praying for my dad, he was praying for us.

I Found God today in the many blessings He provided.

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Long Walk

Posted by eph21920 on September 22, 2023 in Family, Grateful, Life, Weather

Mom was feeling pretty good for much of the day and the weather was perfect. So we went out for a walk. She had so much energy, she took the longest walk she had in months. It was pretty amazing and felt good. As anticipated, she was tuckered out in the afternoon, but we were grateful for the lovely morning.

I Found God today in mom’s energy level to enjoy a beautiful day.

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Find Peace

Posted by eph21920 on September 21, 2023 in Answer, Faith, Peace

This morning, I listened to another chapter in the series “The Imitation of Christ.” As I strive for peace, I found this quote to be worth contemplating. “Blessed are the uncomplicated, for they will find much peace.”

I Found God today in a direction of how to find more peace.

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Good To Hear

Posted by eph21920 on September 20, 2023 in Answer, Friends, Sick, Struggles

I knew a friend of mine was going through a physically difficult time and I reached out a couple of times with no response. So, we just kept praying for her and her family. She called this afternoon and told me just how tough things have been. She had extensive back surgery, which I knew about. After that she endured an infection and a stroke. She has been in and out of hospitals, rehabs, and doctor’s offices. Her husband has been amazing during the whole episode. She figured that God put her through everything to help her be grateful for the people and relationships in her life. Even though she was still struggling and has a long road ahead of her, she sounded very positive and had energy in her voice. I was so glad to hear from her and we will continue to pray for her.

I Found God today hearing from a friend.

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Distant Cousin

Posted by eph21920 on September 19, 2023 in Connected, Family, Grateful, Relationship

We heard from my cousin who told us of her mother’s death. Today she sent us the obituary. My mom reminisced a little about her earlier days. When her brother – my cousin’s father – got married, my mom and dad were already in the military and moving around. When they would return to the place where they grew up, they would visit with some family for short periods. Unfortunately, we rarely saw my cousin and later, the parents were divorced. However, my cousin stayed in contact with my mom. I remember meeting her and her siblings many years ago as adults. They were just like family. I’m grateful that she has remained in touch and has brought a lot of joy to my mom.

I Found God today hearing from a distant cousin.

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Simple and True

Posted by eph21920 on September 18, 2023 in Answer, Joy, Life, Peace

Today as I was closing things up for the night, I came across a planner that is also a coloring book that belongs to my sister. It was open to a page that read, “Peace begins with a smile”, from St. Mother Teresa. It made me smile to read it. I thought about how true it is and how easy it is for any of us to offer a little peace to one another by sharing a simple gesture.

I Found God today in a reminder of the power of a smile.

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Not For Me

Posted by eph21920 on September 17, 2023 in Answer, Bible, Death, Faith, Life, Relationship

Today’s reading to the letter of the Romans 14:7-9 by St. Paul was the focus of the homily by our pastor this morning. He talked about how damaging, lonely, and unfulfilling our lives can be if we think and live as if we are a self-made being; in other words, my focus is living my life doing what I want according to my own desires. This can lead to harming those around us as our concerns are on ourselves. At the same time, we are forgetting that we didn’t create ourselves, we didn’t will ourselves into existence. And we have no real control over how our life will ultimately finish. Similarly, when we are struggling, it can become all consuming. It can be too easy to forget that there are others in our lives who are also going through hard times. The reflection touched my heart and gave me pause to contemplate. I would do well to remember Paul’s words, “If we live, we live for the Lord. If we die, we die for the Lord. So then, whether we live or die, we are the Lord’s.” This is comforting and a reminder to be focused less on myself and more on others.

I Found God today in a reminder that I belong to Him.

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Mani Morning

Posted by eph21920 on September 16, 2023 in Family, Fun, Grateful

My daughter in law and I went to a craft fair a couple of months ago and found a vendor who sold the fun stick on nail polish. Several years ago, the girls in the family got together on Zoom and had a nail party. When we saw the polish at the fair, we thought it would be much more fun to have a nail party in person. So we bought our favorite designs. This morning my daughter in law, granddaughter, two sisters, mom, and I all got together and decorated our fingernails. It was so much fun to have a girl’s get together. I was grateful for the lighthearted atmosphere.

I Found God today in a fun morning.

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