GIVING THANKS

      It is that time of year again.  That time when our nation sets aside a day that created a four day weekend to show gratitude for our many blessings.

      I don't think it is right to judge others and I believe it is foolish and futile to compare oneself to others.  Yet, I do both regularly, and then pray to let go of that wrong thinking.  I have been led to ponder 2 Corinthians 10. 3- 6:

For, although we are in the flesh, we do not battle according to the flesh,

 for the weapons of our battle are not of flesh but are enormously powerful, capable of destroying fortresses.

We destroy arguments and every pretension raising itself against the knowledge of God,

and take every thought captive in obedience to Christ,

and we are ready to punish every disobedience,

once your obedience is complete.

            Taking every thought captive is a very difficult thing for me to do.  I need to try harder to SLOW DOWN  and NOT REACT when life's little surprises pop up and mess with me.

      I need to be still and let God quiet my heart and clear my head so that I do not hurt myself and those around me.

      I need to try harder to get the sleep I need, to eat the foods that will strengthen me at appropriate times to benefit me, to exercise, and to build my personal relationship with God.

      I am a Christian and a Catholic at that.  I don't need the government to set aside a special day to reflect upon my blessings.  I have the opportunity to celebrate Eucharist DAILY, if I put some effort into getting to local churches during the times when these opportunities are available.  When that is difficult, I need to at least read, reflect, and pray on the readings of the day.

     My husband and I chose one another to enter a covenant with God and each other until one of us dies. Our choice, blessed by God. My husband is a dependable and reliable man.  He has integrity and has been loyal to our marriage.  For that I am truly blessed.

   God chose ME, ME!, ME to carry five wonderful people in my womb.  There really is no greater honor bestowed on human beings than to nurture a new person in such an intimate way.  Our children are each healthy, bright, good, kind, compassionate, capable, free-thinking, strong, and beautiful people.

      We live in a free republic during a time of great technology that has the potential to make our lives more efficient and productive.  Although the recent elections were disheartening, we are still able to trust God to get us through no matter what happens to this nation.  We have tools to set things straight again, if only we are willing to do our parts.

      We own our house, our vehicles, and land.  We worked hard and sacrificed to get to this point and can continue to be good stewards of these blessings.  We must never forget that it is all GIFT.  All from God, portioned to us with the expectation that we will share our gifts with those who have less than we do.

      Those are the big and obvious blessings.  I need to daily take time to remember the little ones that come my way.  Better yet, I need to offer thanks the moment I realize I have been blessed.  I don't deserve my blessings.  I am not worthy.  I need to remember to be appreciative.

     

Finding my way in the "new normal"

Life is really changing quickly lately.

Because I find myself alone with my thoughts so often now, I have experienced many emotions daily.

I spend time remembering.

I spend time pondering.

I consider planning,

 but have decided that is truly a waste of my time,

for I know I am not able to carry out most of my plans.

I spend a lot of time praying.

I spend time wondering.

I hope.

I have loved and lost.

I love and know I will lose until finally I am the one to go home.

I enjoy learning and seek new opportunities to experience.

I have enjoyed traveling many distances in recent years.

I don't laugh enough.

I cry, but too often try to stop the healing tears.

I serve.

I try to acknowledge service.

Life is changing fast

and

I know I am on "borrowed time".

I don't know when my last moment will be,

but I am not afraid.

That is the greatest blessing in my life;

knowing where I came from and where I am going.

I thank God for all who are willing to share this journey with me.

Thank you for America!

I have celebrated 50 Fourth of Julys now!

Yes, half a century as an American citizen!

My parents loved this country.

So did their parents.

I only remember two of my Great-Grandmas

and have no memory of them in regards to patriotism.

I remember decking out in red, white, and blue

and going to parades and fireworks since I was a very little girl. 

My parents pointed out the soldiers and conveyed their respect for these men and women who serve our country so we can all enjoy freedom.

I tried to pass on these values to all my children.

I am a patriot of the United States of America.  I love America.

This year, my husband and I hosted our first celebration

with our parents and my brother at our house for this special holiday.

It turned out to be an extremely hot day, but all went well and we all had fun.

While we were preparing our home,
I tried to find a radio station that was playing patriotic songs.  I found none.

I tried to find something on television

that had to do with this important holiday.

I found none.

What is happening to this great country?

How long can we expect the privileges and blessings that made this country great?

Life is good...

I have been blessed with many adventures this year.

Nostalgiaville was a fun surprise.

Mansfield made my heart swell and my throat choke up.

Texas was glorious, especially our hostess and host, not to forget my husband!

NASA, Port of Houston, San Jacinta, RODEO (mutton bustin'), meeting the host family that opened their home to us in August 2010, Texas A&M tour, San Antonio missions and Alamo.

Then, March was in the 80s when we returned.

Spring sprang very early.

Easter was beautiful, more lush than any I can remember.

But, suddenly, for a few days, late in the month, April had a bite to it and froze the early new growth.

My birthday showed me the gravestone of my Irish immigrant ancestors, the church they co-founded, and the border of their farmstead.  Also enjoyed the Aldo Leopold shack and learning center.

May brought beautiful sunny days with bright blue skies and brilliant white clouds.

Rain too!

A wild adventure to Mansfield and Hannibal with a great companion.

Yes, I have the mysterious, painful "frozen shoulder" that started on the way down to Texas and still is causing me grief.

Mom is recovering from her surgery.

Pa learned he's had a heart attack and is now making lifestyle and med changes to heal and stay strong.

Next week we will finally end the irresponsible recall elections.

We had an incredible amount of rain for a few days a while ago.

Two days ago, the temps dropped unseasonably low.

Kittens have been arriving and are adorable again.

It has been up and down and all around, but in the end, I call it good!

See Remember Sister 2...

She did a good job posting the shared portion of our visit.  I doubt I will take the time to post the adventures on the route to their apartment, the things we did while they diligently worked and went to school Monday through Friday, or any pictures of our return trip home.  Come and visit and I might break out the external hard drive and give you a photo tour.  I have postcards and mementos to help trigger my memory as I share the adventures.  Dad will never forget the details about all the great food every step of the way.

I am grateful that Mom and Dad had so much fun together and that we BOTH look forward to visiting our children wherever they live for the rest of our lives.  Also, we are excited about seeing many things all over this great country of ours.

The secret hope is that there really could be an RV in my future sometime...

Not sure I am ready to learn how to enjoy flying...  That's a whole different kind of packing...

Maybe Dad should get a pilot license!  I am pretty sure he would not do well as my passenger if I go for one!

Should I continue?

What is the point of a blog anyway?  If no one is looking at it, it is just a stupid waste of time.  If no one is looking at it, it is proof that no one is interested in what the author has to say.  I suppose that is the point of blogs.  It is a kind of popularity contest.  See who can amass the most followers.  See who can inspire the most comments.  For me, I don't need to waste time checking my blog to see if anyone has shown interest in what I last posted.  This very well may be my last post...

Life is Beautiful

and HARD!  It is difficult to appreciate the beauty and wonder as we deal with our brokenness.  I really do appreciate the revised translation at the end of the Nicene Creed:

I look forward to the resurrection of the dead.

I know the victory is already won.
I know that with God all things are possible
I know that God will make all things good.
Today, I am saddened by the news that a man killed his soon-to-be ex-wife and 10 and 14 year old children.  Then, he called 9-1-1 and shot himself while still on the line.
I learned that Susan G. Komen Race for the Cure was so concerned about pleasing people who believe that unwanted babies must be killed, that they rescinded their decision to withhold funding from Planned Parenthood.
I have learned that all forms of hormonal contraception not only work as abortifacients at times, but are listed as Class One Carcinogens due to their direct link to breast, uterine, and liver cancer.
Why are so many people so greedy, selfish, and foolish that they are willing to harm themselves and others for the sake of instant gratification?  Why don't more people believe in the Truth of eternal life and seek God's will?
To think, as a young woman, I believed people are innately good.  I can no longer believe that.  I always knew we are sinners, and - DUH! - sin is not good.  How did I get so confused?
God have mercy on the lost souls.
God have mercy on all who suffer due to decisions they did not make.

Hello!

I really have nothing to post tonight.  But, I wanted my trusty followers to know that I am still here.  I don't know when I will get around to creating a post worth your time.  Just know I love you!

2011

One of the busiest of my life, with major changes.
January and February:  Visiting my friend while she needed to stay within 30 minutes of her oncologist's hospital after adult stem cell transplant.  Met a lot of wonderful people and gained appreciation for good health.  Lots and lots of snow!
March:  Crazy and fun FAST week planning a wedding with my daughter.  She lives several states away and the wedding is at our home parish in August. A friend's grandsons are born 3 months early and we pray them through a roller-coaster ride as they struggle to grow.
April: Observed our 48th birthdays.  Husband (who is 36 hours, 5 minutes youger) and I took a short trip in the middle of the month, but had a LONG ride home in a blizzard! CRAZY!
May:  Our "baby of the family" baby graduated high school.  Our firstborn baby has been here between jobs for seven months and moves out again.
June: Three of our adult children come home on weekends only, work at a camp. Our house is packed with between-semesters dorm/apartment stuff.  Bridal shower in our house last Saturday of the month!
July: Last Graduation party at our house first Sunday of the month.  Mother-of-the-Bride dress shopping becomes IMPORTANT to other people.  Enjoyed the NOCancer Bike Ride and have been conditioning all summer with bike rides and long walks as often as possible.
August:  THE WEDDING!  Day flew by too quickly! All was absolutely beautiful and wonderful. Great rehearsal dinner, great visit with groom's family the day after.  A week later, the campers return and two days after that, we take one to the airport to leave for IRELAND for four months!  Two weeks after that, our sons both move to same college;  older to his off-campus apartment; youngest to his freshman dorm.
September:  Friend valiantly fights, but ultimately loses the battle with cancer.  Long, sad month.  Grateful for the blessing of kittens and a hammock.
October: Begins with a funeral and the return of the oldest child between jobs again.  Trying to get used to chatting and "Skyping" as daughter in Ireland has no phone. Also, blogging enters the scene in our family life.  Unbelievably beautiful pro-longed autumn.
November:  Move the oldest again.  Two weeks later, the youngest drops out and moves back home.  Hunting season.  Thanksgiving without two children (and son-in-law).  Life has significantly changed.
December:  All about preparing for Christmas.  Daughter returns from Ireland nine days before. Newlyweds come for short visit.  All of us together for about a day and a half.  WONDERFUL!  Weather is strangely mild, mild, mild.  Dusting of snow for Christmas, but it doesn't last to the New Year.
New Year's Eve party here with our friends.  Very nice.  Miss our friend, sad to see her husband and sons without her.  We are in this together.
Hoping 2012 will not have so many changes.  Looking forward to a two-week road trip to the newlyweds in a few months.  Rest  of the year is going to be whatever it is going to be!  Strange to have no school schedules here, other than knowing when college children may be coming back and forth.  Hoping for a December graduation.  Newlyweds will be here for Thanksgiving, not Christmas. I will step down from the board of the non-profit I co-founded in June or December.  Otherwise, nothing else is on the calendar.