Of Sisters and Friendship

There is something incredibly blessed about sibling friendship. Family feuds seem to be 
pretty common these days. And perhaps it's always been that way. Think of Joseph and his jealous brothers who sold him into slavery. Isaac and Ishmael are still going at it today. Remember Esau and Jacob who fought over the birthright and blessing. And, of course, how can we leave out Cain who murdered his brother Abel?

On the other hand, what a beautiful thing to enjoy sibling friendship. My visit with my sister Laura this week was a double blessing. I didn't really know her growing up. When I started high school she was only five. When I left for college she was nine. After that I was only home for a few months in the summer when I worked. And then I left home for good when I was 21 and she was 13. Only in adulthood have we gotten to know each other and grown in friendship. As I said, what a blessing!

Monday Morning Musing -- Too Many Blessings to Count!

It's been a really (and I do mean really) hot summer...which offers a great opportunity. Go out and sit in the sun for five or ten minutes on one of the days when the thermostat approaches 100 degrees and reflect on hell. You really, really don't want to go there! After that, return to the air conditioned house or apartment and thank God for inspiring men to invent all kinds of wonderful things to make our lives easier and more pleasant. 

We've had so many grandchildren enjoying their cousins this summer...

...it seems appropriate to reflect on this mystery of the rosary and to thank the Lord for the blessing of family and the delight the cousins take in one another. We are saying good-bye to our daughter today and relishing the memory of all the fun and laughter of visiting families, the celebration of three birthdays, the smiles, the memories from the past, the night prayers (not to mention night swimming), and all the joy that life can bring even in the midst of a evil culture.

Sunday Meditation: How did you use your talents today?

The gospel today was the parable of the three servants and the talents. The parable of the talents always gets me thinking about how the Lord wants me to use the gifts He's given me. He certainly gave me a heart for motherhood which is what got me involved in the pro-life movement. The little ones threatened and marked for death always made me think of my own children. How could I not be doing everything I could to save them when they were no different from my own babies? And so I rescued and educated and prayed and picketed and sidewalk counseled, etc. I still do a little of that, but I don't have the same level of energy I used to have and don't do as much of it. Also, thank God, there's no abortion mill nearby that is continually pricking my conscience. That was one of the greatest outcomes of our decision to "flee the city" in 2002! I traveled to northern Virginia every week for several years to counsel at pregnancy help center, but after several years decided it was just too far.

Monday Morning Musings...

• Good morning, sweet Jesus, I love You, sweet Jesus, all for You!

• We are incredibly blessed! Had four of five children and their families here yesterday for Sunday brunch (and pizza later) minus one college student and one working teen. The cousins, all 16 of them, enjoyed the trampoline, ultimate frisbee, bike and trike riding and cuddling the babies. Not one squabble! Lots of adult conversation as well as adult-child conversation when the kids took a break from playing. Lots of games, good food, and laughter. Night prayer last night, after everyone was gone except our visiting out-of-town daughter and her family, was a joyful and peaceful end to a blessed day. Thank you, Lord!