Tonight we read the scriptures for the Mass celebrating the Solemnity of the Blessed Virgin Mary. The first reading was Numbers 6:22-27 which includes one of my favorite blessings beginning with “The Lord Bless you and keep you.” This is also the song that my mom used to sing in high school choir. They would close each concert with it. I read it a couple of times and asked my mom if she recognized it. She said she did but couldn’t place it. I started singing it and after a few words, she joined in. She sang the whole song while I did my best to harmonize. It was a blessed moment for me.
I Found God today singing a familiar song with my mom.
Today was the Feast of the Holy Family. There were plenty of families in church this morning with young children and babies who were very vocal. In front of me was a pregnant mom, dad, and 3 young boys. The smallest one would walk back and forth on the pew from one parent to the other. At one point he made it past his dad and stopped in front of me to say “hi”. I said hi back in a whisper. He followed my cue and whispered a couple more times. He was adorable. The pastor spoke about how much he loved to hear the children. He said it was the sound of angels. He said that he had been with people praying that their babies be born healthy, or that they be made well when they are sick. We should all be rejoicing to hear the sounds of little ones as they are a blessing. As if on cue, a couple babies let out a scream. It was funny and enlightening.
After my father died, family members went through the hundred or so matted photos that my dad had prepared and took their favorites to keep. My grandson had several and for his birthday, asked to have them framed. Today he gathered up his stack of prints and I took him to the local craft store. We met my son there as he had the same idea. Luckily, the frames were buy one, get one half price. We carefully chose a frame for each of the 11 pictures. It made me very happy that my grandson was so interested, appreciative, thoughtful, and excited to frame and hang his pictures. They are a beautiful momento of my father’s life and love. It was somewhat healing and a blessing to look at the photos and remember my dad.
I Found God today spending good time with my grandson and remembering my father.
Today was beautiful and sunshiney. Typically, my mom and I would sit on the porch and get our daily dose of vitamin D. Unfortunately, today mom’s legs were very weak and she was unable to make it out the door. I thought about taking the wheelchair down the one step, but thought I had better practice first and make sure I knew what I was doing. I had the front door already opened and the sunshine was streaming in through the screen door. So I just adjusted the screen to get the most sun and fresh air in. We sat in the doorway and enjoyed the outdoors. It was a blessing.
I Found God today enjoying the outdoors in the house.
On my way to meet a friend tonight, I had just enough time to hear two songs on the radio. Both of them had the same theme of remaining close to Jesus through hard times and God being present in those moments. Then an email I read tonight included this scripture: Isaiah 41:10 ~ Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand. I am trying very hard to remain in those words.
My mom has had her walker for many years now and it has served her well. Recently, she has been in the habit of unlocking it before she stands up instead of making sure it’s locked. Last night, she was up out of bed several times. Not thinking clearly, she kept unlocking the breaks on the walker. I kept locking it back again. In my tired stupor, I evidently was too aggressive one time (or perhaps it was wearing out) and when I pushed the break handle down, it stayed there and I couldn’t get it to come back up. The break cable had snapped. Now I had to be even more vigilant in making sure my mom was safe getting up and sitting down. This morning I looked up videos and information on how to fix the break. It was complicated and way beyond my skill set. As I was wondering what I was going to do, the hospice nurse came for her scheduled visit. I told her about the episode and she asked if I would like her to order another one. It didn’t even cross my mind that hospice provided needed equipment. She ordered the walker and it was delivered before bedtime. The young man who delivered it was very kind and encouraging, which was more than I expected. I remembered what I told mom at dinner – everything has a way of working out just the way it should. I was feeling very grateful and very blessed.
I Found God today having a problem taken care of without actually doing anything.
The other night my mom and I started watching The Sound of Music. She was excited and said it was one of her favorite movies. However, none of it was familiar to her. When the songs came on, I could see a glimpse of recognition as I started to sing along. but she said it was like new to her. We watched a little while, then stopped it to watch another day. Tonight I put it back on and we picked it up just before, “My Favorite Things”. Mom again said it was her favorite movie. When the song came on and I started singing along, so did she. As the movie played, she said she didn’t remember any of it. But when a song came on and I started singing it, she would join in. It made us both very happy.
I Found God today as my mom remembered and sang along with her favorite movie.
Mom and I got up bright and early this morning. She was so happy when I told her it was Christmas. We had some of the sugar plum bread for breakfast and actually made it to the early Mass. The music was beautiful with stringed instruments and a trumpet. I got teary eyed immediately and had a hard time singing through the favorite Christmas hymns. I was just so grateful for Jesus, for God’s love, for the celebration, for my mom being able to attend. When we arrived back home, my sister and her husband were there and had cleaned up the kitchen. While others contributed, they did the majority of the cooking and cleanup of dinner. I was so grateful that the meal was taken care of. When my sons and family arrived, my granddaughter went straight to my mom’s side and started telling her all about her Christmas morning. Some family was sick, but I was grateful that many of us got together in person and that we could Zoom with everyone else. This year, everyone made a donation to a certain charity. During our get together, everyone shared about their organization. Grateful for the love and generosity of family. Back in May, my son made a puzzle for my mom that included photos of the family. After she put it together and we framed it, she said she thought it would be nice if everyone could have one. I took that suggestion and had a puzzle made for everyone. Each one included a special photo of them with my mom and dad. I was so grateful that my mom had made that comment back then and we could give a meaningful gift to everyone. The other day I told my son that I was emotionally dead inside. Today proved otherwise as I was at the brink of tears so much of the day – but in a good way.
I Found God today being grateful on this Christmas.
Today my mom and I went out to deliver her sugar plum loaf. On the way home, we stopped by St. Gabriel Church to see the new statue they erected. It was the archangel Gabriel visiting Mary. It tied in nicely to what I heard today. Even though it is Christmas Eve, the Catholic Church celebrated the fourth Sunday of Advent before it started the Christmas Masses. The Gospel reading was the account of the angel Gabriel appearing to Mary and offering her the opportunity to be the mother of Jesus Christ. Of course, we know she said yes. Her life was not without difficulty or stress, but she was steadfast in her faith to live out her God given mission. I may not be visited by an angel, or have a historical mission. But I can be in tuned with the Holy Spirit by practicing prayer. I can do my best to live out the plan God has for my life. And I can pray for Mary’s intercession to keep me on track. At noon, mom and I prayed the Angelus. It is a tradition that my mom practiced when she was a child in school. I realized that this prayer really sums up our faith – my faith – and the incredible event of love that we celebrate at Christmas.
The Angel of the Lord declared to Mary: And she conceived of the Holy Spirit.
Hail Mary, full of grace, the Lord is with thee; blessed art thou among women and blessed is the fruit of thy womb, Jesus. Holy Mary, Mother of God, pray for us sinners, now and at the hour of our death. Amen.
Behold the handmaid of the Lord: Be it done unto me according to Thy word.
Hail Mary…
And the Word was made Flesh: And dwelt among us.
Hail Mary… Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Pray for us, O Holy Mother of God, that we may be made worthy of the promises of Christ.
Let us pray:
Pour forth, we beseech Thee, O Lord, Thy grace into our hearts; that we, to whom the incarnation of Christ, Thy Son, was made known by the message of an angel, may by His Passion and Cross be brought to the glory of His Resurrection, through the same Christ Our Lord. Amen.
I Found God today in all His reminders of the miracle of Him becoming human.
Today my mom and I made the Sugar Plum Loaves that she bakes and shares every year. It is a recipe from her 1976 “New Better Homes and Gardens” cookbook. I remembered the first year I helped her with them I was afraid, as I am not a bread baker and had no idea what a “soft dough” is. But over the years, I have made copious notes and learned a lot. This year, mom read the recipe and directions to me as I put it together. I recognized the texture of the soft dough and got Mom’s approval. The breads baked up perfectly. Mom enjoyed slathering on the icing to top them off. She taught me well and I felt very blessed to enjoy this time with her today.
Still Finding God 