Going to a Grandson's Wedding

Our oldest grandchildren have reached the age where wedding bells are in the air. Today we will joyfully attend the marriage ceremony and feast of a grandson, the fourth celebration of its kind for us. I've been thinking about the three previous weddings: the first in Texas during COVID, the second in Virginia with a raging thunderstorm that knocked out the electricity at the reception, the third in Ohio on a beautiful fall day, and now this fourth event which will leave its own lovely and unique memories.

Every wedding we attend reminds me of our own wedding back in 1969, but family weddings are special. What struck me today during my morning prayer was the memory of the nuptual blessing -- that you might see your children and your children's children. 

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!

Monday of Holy Week and Five Reasons We Didn't Make it to Mass

Painting the seashells Grandma collected in Florida

 Larry and I go to daily Mass almost every day of the year. When we were in Florida, the available church only offered Mass on Monday and Tuesday, but we were blessed to be there in Lent because they offered Mass and stations on Friday evening. Here at home we have Mass every day and would normally have been there this morning, but I couldn't face getting five grandkids out of bed early after staying up too late (It's hard to settle them when they see their cousins) and corralling them in time to make Mass. So we had a big breakfast instead and chatted around the table. They love our "big breakfasts" and always ask for them when they visit. We think we'll start a pool to guess how many (waffles, pieces of french toast, or pancakes) Ryan can eat. I also made an entire pound of bacon this morning so we wouldn't have an argument over who gets the last piece on the plate.

Of Bees and Grandchildren: Taking Time Out to Make Memories

Bee babies, capped and uncapped

I'm taking a break from responding to nasty anonymous comments (I've been getting them on my post about Reagan. Goodness, can't we say something kind about someone unless he/she is a saint?)

Instead I'm focusing on something I really love that fills me with joy: beekeeping! We did our first Spring inspection this afternoon and our hives look wonderful. You can see the details here. There is something soothing about watching and caring for these amazing little creatures. Sometimes problems arise that make it challenging and frustrating, but it is always fascinating. They are such an example of working for the good of the "family." Everybody has a job and they go about it from dawn til dusk. No wonder we have the expression, "busy little bees."

Thoughts for the Day from St. Augustine

Happy Feast Day, St. Augustine!

I think every Catholic must be familiar with St. Augustine's statement (which I put in poem form to remember):

O Lord, you made our hearts for thee
And ever restless will they be
Until they rest in thee.

But there's another saying that makes me reflect frequently on my life and what I'm doing:

It is better to do great good among few than little good among many. 

Toward the end of his life, St. Thomas Aquinas put down his pen calling all his brilliant writings "straw." Well, my writing doesn't add up to a pile of cow pies. And my grandkids are the treasures of my life, each a pearl of great price. With several home schooling families who would happily enjoy some assistance from Gramma, I wonder if putting down my pen and putting on my apron is a better use of my time.

Prayers for discernment would be most welcome.

A Bird in the Hand is Worth Two on Your Head?

Or two on your hat?

Grandchildren and Getting Up Close and Personal to God's World

And what a blessing to combine them both. Anybody who's been reading my blogs for long knows that Larry and I are novice beekeepers and loving it! So if you want to see what Springtime is bringing in the way of our love of our grandkids and our love for nature, check it out here. You can admire our girls -- we have a cast of thousands!

The Joy of Grandkids

As I'm recoverivg from surgery, I've been delighted to get mail from my grandchildren. Next to prayers, messages from the young 'uns is the best medicinal tonic. So here's what I see every day to feed my immune system and move me toward wellness.

Happy Feast Day to All You Grandparents Out There!

Today is the feast day of Sts. Joachim and Ann, the parents of Mary and grandparents of Jesus. What a happy day it was when Ann conceived "our tainted nature's solitary boast." All you grandparents out there, what a great day to tell your grandchildren about Mary's grandparents. Read about them here. Why not send your grandchildren a postcard or letter today telling them you are praying for them on this special day that reminds us how important grandparents are in the life of the family.

We're celebrating and rejoicing today that God has blessed us with 21 (so far) grandchildren. Praise God from whom all blessings flow.

Sunday Meditation: Home Alone

It is eerily quiet. Our five little peppers (an assortment of sweet, mild, and hot) are reunited with their mom and dad and just drove away with a honk and a wave. After a bustling and hopping week, it is strange indeed to return to the quiet of  our "ordinary time."

It makes me think of the gospels. Jesus certainly had busy, noisy times surrounded by crowds that pressed in upon Him. He loved all those dear souls seeking His help and especially loved the children. How much He was like a grandparent in that way! But He also looked forward to getting away with his closest friends for a quiet time to teach and pray.

This evening quiet time is on our menu. We are out in the quiet desert (the air conditioner froze up so it is definitely turning to desert) away from the crowds calling for attention. ("Gramma, watch me....Gramma, I'm hungry....What's for dinner?....Paka, will you read us a book?....May we have a snack?....Will you help me (whatever)?... Is it time to swim yet?... May we watch a video?.... Where are the art supplies?....What are we doing today?"....and on and on. Ah, but what a fun time. We always love it when our grandchildren come, but we say good-bye with mixed feelings. A rest for two old folks after all that activity is welcome. But, really, peace and quiet isn't all it's cracked up to be -- especially when the alternative is pure joy!

Our last night before the exodus was a birthday celebration that included sending five colored paper lanterns up into the night sky. I picked them up six weeks ago when we went on a wine outing with our daughter and husband along Lake Erie. Camp Kreitzer was the perfect place for the launch and feeling them rise and watching them catch the breeze and float off above the trees was exhilerating and beautiful. It was the perfect way to finish a wonderful week with five precious girls. Thank you, dear Lord, for the gift of grandchildren and for the beauty of Your world. May we never take one precious minute for granted and may we never forget to say thank you!

A Joy Shared...

There's a saying that a sorrow shared is halved and a joy shared is doubled. Well, we are joyful today -- celebrating the birth of our 20th grandchild who arrived yesterday at 7:14 a.m. I was coming home from adoration at 2:15 a.m. when the phone call came that our daughter was in labor. I headed over to spend the night with the "big sister." Later on we drove over to the hospital for a visit with baby and parents.

My husband, who likes to watch Good Morning, America, said we should post a video message to their Saturday morning This week in three words segment. His suggestion? "Grandbaby Number 20." If you want to see the new arrival go here and leave her a message. We rejoice in the addition of a crown jewel to our family treasure, the only treasure that lasts -- eternally. Thank you to our five children who have given us all these precious jewels! (Photo taken in early August. Two not in photo -- one who was taking a nap and Baby B whose birth-day was still a few weeks away.)

The Blessings of Grandchildren.... By birth and "adoption"

One of my favorite parts of the marriage ceremony is the blessing that you might see "your children and your children's children." Well...we are incredibly blessed to be expecting our 20th grandchild who is due next September. Most of 2011 will be a happy anticipation of that event with all the reports about progress and finding out whether the girls will advance their lead (currently 11-8) or whether the boys will begin to catch up.

The thing that got me thinking about grandchildren (It never takes much) was that, while browsing my bloglist, I was intrigued by "Old Bob's" post title. So I went and read about his "adopted" granddaughter. Actually, he is the adopted grandfather, since Maria initiated the honorary title. If you want to read a heartwarming message for Sunday (always a traditional family day) visit Bob's blog. And a big congratulations, Bob. Instant grandchildren are another blessing from the Lord and you aren't limited to one!