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ladybugs
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It's really interesting, this Christian walk. So often, I have felt I have trudged along, ungracefully, blindly.
And yet, tonight, I have an answer. A small, simple, beautiful answer.
On December 7, we will have lived here in our small home for 9 years. We really thought we'd be here a short time, but God sure knew what He was doing. When I wasn't thrilled about renting, and we had four babies under 4, I was shown how nice it was to have "someone else" to call for repairs. When I felt claustrophobic at the lack of space, I realized that I was being called to grow internally. And now, as our elderly neighbors are passing into eternity with greater regularity, I am shown how "our being stuck" was really a breath of freedom for them.
Late this afternoon, after we rode our bicycles back from the grocery store, I was playing football with two of my children. A dark BMW passed between us, stopped and went into reverse.
My eighty-four year old neighbor, Elvia, whom we have called Auntie Elvia since the oldest could talk, was in the passenger seat. Her husband, Tom, had had a stroke I would learn, and would now be living in a nursing facility as Elvia cannot care for him herself. She and Tom have been married at least 50 years and were never blessed with kids...until ours.
When that dark BMW stopped in front of my house, Elvia's nieces were with her. They mentioned how excited they were to meet me and "meet these children that they had heard so much about." I gave them my phone number should they need anything and as I watched them turn into Elvia's driveway, I gathered my children around me and told them what had happened to Uncle Tom. We agreed we would pray for them...and I ask for your prayers as well. You see, Auntie Elvia, by her own admission, is a "cafeteria Catholic." I don't even know if Uncle Tom practices anything or believes in God.
But what I do know tonight, is how, so unseemingly and unseamingly, God works in our lives. How the beauty of the young flitting about unaware outside brought joy and a sense of freedom to the one watching from the window.
And now, as we've losing our neighbors more quickly, I understand why we're still here. It's not because we're losers as we've so often heard from certainly family members, but because the Master Musician was working on the heartstrings of one his creations - preparing him to join the Heavenly choir.
As our hearts are being called to prepare for the arrival of the baby Jesus in this season of Advent, I realize I have a gift. I could not have asked for a better answer than the knowledge of our family being an instrument in Elvia's and Tom's lives.
What a gift, indeed.
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Love and God Bless,
Maria P
My etsy store - all proceeds go to help my fencing daughters!
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Chari
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That is SO beautiful, Maria.............I am glad that God let you see that.
Prayers for your neighbors, AND the Pecelis!
btw...............you all have never left our saint jeosph novena.......and we have been talking to quite heavily, lately!
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Chari...Take Up & Read
Dh Marty 27yrs...3 lovely maidens: Anne 24, Sarah 20 & Maddelyn 17 and 3 chivalrous sons: Matthew 22, Garrett 16 & Malachy 11
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ladybugs
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Thanks, Chari...
I got back from her house a little while ago and just got off the phone with the priest. The priest will be going over to give Tom the Anoiting of the Sick and I intend to pray the 3 very beautiful prayers from the Pieta book tonight.
If my staying here means that he gets to heaven, then I am so more than okay with that - and so very grateful and humbled.
Thanks for the prayers! How is Anne doing?
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Love and God Bless,
Maria P
My etsy store - all proceeds go to help my fencing daughters!
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Donna
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What beautiful  thoughts, Maria.
Your neighbors are in my prayers.
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Donna
DH, Keven
Jason, Stevie, Marie, Jackson, Clara, and Aaron
Jacob, Sam, and Regina with God
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Moments Like These
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Mary G
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ladybugs wrote:
How the beauty of the young flitting about unaware outside brought joy and a sense of freedom to the one watching from the window.
... but because the Master Musician was working on the heartstrings of one his creations - preparing him to join the Heavenly choir.
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Wow, this is so beautiful -- I particularly like your line about "because the Master Musician". How many graces are your children strewing daily for these older folks?
I remember when we were little growing up in SF. There was an elderly couple two houses up -- the husband used to sit at his window and glare at us whenever we were playing in front of his house. Occasionally if we got too close or went in his garden, he'd rap on the window. He used to scare us kids. But then, after he died, his wife explained to us that he had been a victim of a stroke and had been confined to his chair/bed for 5-10 years and that the only way he could communicate was to rap on the window -- turned out he LOVED to see us playing and laughing and having a good time in front of his house. He'd worry about us being in his garden, not becuase of the garden, but because he was worried we'd get hurt!
You just never know.....what joy and happiness you can bring to others (especially little kids)!
Thanks again for sharing Maria, this was beautiful!
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MaryG
3 boys (22, 12, 8)2 girls (20, 11)
my website that combines my schooling, hand-knits work, writing and everything else in one spot!
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Willa
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ladybugs wrote:
| because the Master Musician was working on the heartstrings of one his creations - preparing him to join the Heavenly choir. As our hearts are being called to prepare for the arrival of the baby Jesus in this season of Advent, I realize I have a gift. I could not have asked for a better answer than the knowledge of our family being an instrument in Elvia's and Tom's lives. |
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Oh Maria,
That is a wonderful and wise story and beautifully written. I will remember it the next time I feel stuck and useless somewhere.
Today is Paddy's birthday. His birth was such a difficult time in our lives. We had basically no income, were unsure of our future, and Paddy was helicoptered to San Francisco within 24 hours to be evaluated for a liver transplant. He had
neonatal hemochromatosislike Aidan. I remember being alone in the equivalent of a Ronald MacDonald home near the hospital, postpartum and feeling so OLD and decrepit at age 40, not really having time to take care of myself, trying to be there for Paddy. Aidan was ill at the time -- turning yellow and having seizures -- so Kevin was caring for him at our home and driving up to SF for visits when he could. And oh, how it rained and how cold it was.
We don't always see things as they REALLY are, from the perspective of heaven. God gave you a grace by letting you have a glimpse of that; thanks for sharing it in such beautiful words. It made me realize just how privileged we are now to be celebrating the 3rd birthday of our lively little charmer now. God is SO good.
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AMDG
Willa
hsing boys ages 11, 14, almost 18 (+ 4 homeschool grads ages 20 to 27)
Take Up and Read
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ladybugs
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Thanks everyone.
I sat down here last night and everything just poured out - typos and all... 
I saw the priest that I had called last night and he went and anointed Tom last night. I haven't heard anything about his condition today but thank you for your prayers.
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Love and God Bless,
Maria P
My etsy store - all proceeds go to help my fencing daughters!
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ladybugs
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HAPPY BIRTHDAY, PADDY!!!!!!!    
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Love and God Bless,
Maria P
My etsy store - all proceeds go to help my fencing daughters!
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kingvozzo
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WJFR wrote:
Today is Paddy's birthday. His birth was such a difficult time in our lives.
It made me realize just how privileged we are now to be celebrating the 3rd birthday of our lively little charmer now. God is SO good. |
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Happy Birthday to your little blessing, Willa!
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Noreen
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kingvozzo
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Maria, thank you for sharing this with us, and so beautifully. It's so wonderful to be reminded that we don't always see God's plan, but He has one for us!
Thanks again!
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Noreen
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teachingmom
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Thank you for sharing what you've learned, Maria. It's a great reminder to us all to bloom where we are planted and trust God for the rest.
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~Irene (Mom to 6 girls, ages 7-19)
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Willa
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Also, Maria,
I will be praying for your friend Tom during this Advent. How neat that you were allowed to be an instrument in having him receive the sacrament as well.
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AMDG
Willa
hsing boys ages 11, 14, almost 18 (+ 4 homeschool grads ages 20 to 27)
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Karen E.
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Maria,
What a beautiful, touching story. I identify, very much, with seeing grace bloom in a place in which I've thought we were "stuck" or a place we've wanted to leave ... we often don't know why God places us where He does, but what a gift for you to recognize this. Thanks for sharing the story, and they'll be in my prayers.
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Karen E.
mom to three on earth, and several souls in God's care
Visit my blog, with its shockingly clever title, "Karen Edmisten."
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Donna Marie
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ladybugs wrote:
Thanks, Chari...
I got back from her house a little while ago and just got off the phone with the priest. The priest will be going over to give Tom the Anoiting of the Sick and I intend to pray the 3 very beautiful prayers from the Pieta book tonight.
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What a beautiful story Maria...I will pray them too!! I read this today and I thought your story and this were so very timely for me...
“You have your part from God and it is a good one. You are a member of the mystical Body of Christ, the Church, and in it you have a part you can play (you were made for it) and which only you can play (there is only one YOU in the history of the world; you are unique). From God you have the gift of supernatural life and of the abilities of body and soul with which to express it. You have all the opportunities which your special time and place and set of qualities give you. It is no concern of yours that others are more richly endowed, nor is it a ground for shame or shyness or discontent. For your own job, you are perfectly equipped: and you have the job by the direct will of God. ‘God has set the members, every one of them, in the body as it has pleased Him’ (1 Corinthians 12:18)."
God Bless YOU!
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God love you!
Donna Marie from NJ
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Finding Elegant Simplicity
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ladybugs
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Hi Ladies,
Just wanted to update you on our neighbor. Tom's stroke was very severe but Elvia told me yesterday that he is holding his own.
Please keep him in your prayers.
The priest went over once to anoint him...should I ask him to go again?
Thanks,
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Love and God Bless,
Maria P
My etsy store - all proceeds go to help my fencing daughters!
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ladybugs
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Hi Ladies,
I just wanted to let you know that our neighbor, Tom, passed away recently.
Ever since he had received the Sacrament of the Sick, he had been receiving the Eucharist at least weekly.
Thank you, thank you for your prayers.
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Love and God Bless,
Maria P
My etsy store - all proceeds go to help my fencing daughters!
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guitarnan
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Maria,
I'm sorry for your loss. I know you treasured your friendship with Tom and I'm sure you've been a great comfort to Elvia.
Please know that I'm praying for Tom's soul and for Elvia (and you!).
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Nancy in MD. Mom of ds (24) & dd (18); 31-year Navy wife, move coordinator and keeper of home fires. Writer and dance mom.
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4Real Forums : Tea and Conversation
Topic: On Reasons Why
