An attitude of gratitude - that is what is on my mind today as I review the last month. School ended! I left for a week at Oakwood with my beloved Sisters in retirement. What gifts of love and acceptance and warmth they give to me. There is a tinge of sadness as I watch them fade as they grow older-some I have known since they were first professed and came to teach at the Sacred Heart school in Cincinnat-62 years ago. However it is balanced with the joy of long term friendships and the mutual exchange of love and prayers.
And now I am home for a month until I go to celebrate success with Casey my oldest. She will host her agency's annual Tribute to Change in Philadelphia and I am able to be there to cheer her on. How grateful I am for that and for her in my life.
In August I go to England to visit my other blessings, daughter Trish, Ian and baby Jack for two blessed weeks. They too are such a grace in my life and give me much joy.
God is very good to me and has been all through my life - even when I have not noticed it. Today I am very aware of it every day and thank God frequently throughout the day for the many blessings with which I am showered;my sobriety, the beauty around me, loving family, loyal friends, opportunities to grow, interesting students - and I could go on and on.
Today I am also praying for the Board of the LCWR who are meeting in D.C. They have much to think, pray and talk about. May our loving God surround them with care and protection.
Cape Cod Cathy
Wednesday, May 30, 2012
Sunday, May 13, 2012
It has been awhile since I wrote here. Mostly because I had conflicting thoughts and feelings about what I wanted to write and no clear sense of it. But today being Mothers' Day there are several feelings that come to the surface.
First I just read that a good RSCJ friend of mine died this week. This is the third one that has gone to God in a short period of time. These women were friends, not mothers. But there were many like them who were "mothers" to me and who are gone now. They made my life safe when it wasn't, gave me comfort when I was sad, made me walk straight when I wanted to go crooked, laughed with me, prayed with me and did many of the things a mother does.
My own mother did the best she knew how. We developed a deep strong relationship in the years before she died. She was able to tell me how proud she was of me and that she loved me- large accomplishments for her. She has been gone 16 years and every Mothers' Day I miss her.
My own children remind me of what it is to be a mother. And I look to Mary, the universal Mother for guidance in dealing with them, particularly today when they are adults. Last Saturday I heard a speaker talk about Mary and how she must have felt when Jesus was an adult. And I thought about my own conflicted feelings, pride in my girls because of what they are accomplishing and the wonderful strong women they have become. I am delighted that they have found life partners whom they love and who love them in return. And my one daughter who is such a good momma to her year old-how happy I am for her. And yet sometimes I miss them, the geographic closeness we used to have, their need for me. And I think of Mary when Jesus was 12 and stayed behind in the Temple and later as an adult when he said,"And who are my mother and my brothers?" When I am in pain not knowing where my son is, I turn to Mary. And I ask her to keep me steadfast with my eyes on her and her Son. And to learn from her. Salve Regina.
First I just read that a good RSCJ friend of mine died this week. This is the third one that has gone to God in a short period of time. These women were friends, not mothers. But there were many like them who were "mothers" to me and who are gone now. They made my life safe when it wasn't, gave me comfort when I was sad, made me walk straight when I wanted to go crooked, laughed with me, prayed with me and did many of the things a mother does.
My own mother did the best she knew how. We developed a deep strong relationship in the years before she died. She was able to tell me how proud she was of me and that she loved me- large accomplishments for her. She has been gone 16 years and every Mothers' Day I miss her.
My own children remind me of what it is to be a mother. And I look to Mary, the universal Mother for guidance in dealing with them, particularly today when they are adults. Last Saturday I heard a speaker talk about Mary and how she must have felt when Jesus was an adult. And I thought about my own conflicted feelings, pride in my girls because of what they are accomplishing and the wonderful strong women they have become. I am delighted that they have found life partners whom they love and who love them in return. And my one daughter who is such a good momma to her year old-how happy I am for her. And yet sometimes I miss them, the geographic closeness we used to have, their need for me. And I think of Mary when Jesus was 12 and stayed behind in the Temple and later as an adult when he said,"And who are my mother and my brothers?" When I am in pain not knowing where my son is, I turn to Mary. And I ask her to keep me steadfast with my eyes on her and her Son. And to learn from her. Salve Regina.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)