I had a doozie of a secret I was keeping from my husband. I am not sure really how it started; an oversight perhaps, a simple mistake, maybe I genuinely needed help (gasp). But once this simple little error was born, I conceived in my mind that it was something I could “fix” later. No […]
The Valentine Gift Read More »
One Sunday morning after Mass, I was having a conversation with the priest, and somehow the subject turned to community. “You do not have community here,” he stated. I asked him why he felt that way and he replied, “People are here for Mass and they put on their “Mass” face. After Mass, they leave
As an extremely goal oriented person, New Year’s is a great time for me. I love the idea that the New Year is a blank page and I can write whatever I want on my page. So for years, I would take the entire month to come up with my goals. At one point I
He was just eight years old the first time he was incarcerated. A baby really, a sweet innocent boy whose worst crime was being born to parents who couldn’t figure out their own lives. A typical youngest child, he was the family clown. Always sporting a bright smile, always wanting to please, he was adored by
A Prisoner’s Story- The Story of Jim Read More »
In 2008 I was so blessed to be able to go to the Holy Land. I wrote the following during Christmas that year, as a letter to Father Lopez. I now share it with you. It was Christmas Day, and we planned to attend the 10:30 Mass. At 9:45 we were in our bedroom getting ready
Unexpected Christmas Gifts Read More »
It was a Monday morning like every other, and I was very focused on getting everything “ready” for the busy week ahead. Get Alli’s breakfast ready, get ready for work, prep food for dinner, make sure the house is picked up before I leave. “Alli, are you ready to go?” I called. “Grandma.” “Yes, Alli,”
Father, Will You Hold Me? Read More »
It was a hot summer day at the end of a stressful month. Already June, we had missed our May trip north to park our camping trailer for the summer months. Usually a trip we anticipate with the excitement of an eight-year old waiting for Christmas morn, today it felt like a chore. I was
As someone who grew up in a non-traditional home, the Catholic faith has always had much to offer me. A family, a family history, traditions, positive role models, a loving Mother, a just, merciful Father and most of all unconditional love. And Jesus, who told me that I deserved to be loved not for something I did or didn’t
As we said morning prayers yesterday, I prayed that God would give me guidance throughout my day, asking for wisdom and patience at work. I prayed that God would watch over Alli while she is at school and I turned to Alli and said, “What gift would you like Jesus to give you today while
The Little Lamb’s Prayer Read More »
As I made preparations for Lent, I began to pray and ask God to reveal to me what gifts He would like to give me this Lenten season. Not just one, but several ideas were presented to me. But overwhelmingly, I was feeling a desire to bless our marriage. My marriage is stronger than it
Marriage Blessing-The Gift of Lent Read More »
