Life Is Sweet!

That was the inscription on the decorations for the tables, today, at a reception that we attended.  It was also basically the theme of the weekend- truly a celebration of life.  (And my main excuse for not getting to this blog in a few days.  Sorry!)

Yesterday, my husband rode in a ride for the MS Society.  (While I think the connections are morally black, he decides what he wants to do, so ride he does...)  He biked 35-miles, with the option of going farther, however the weather was rainy and we had a birthday party to attend.  Celebration #1 was the ride.  From the MS ride, we drove to the 1st birthday party of our friends' baby daughter. The theme was music. There were nine children between the ages of four and six months.  It was truly a fun time watching all of the children interact and have fun.  The babies were having fun with the other babies and the big kids were having their own fun.  Adults, of course, served as entourage for the children: schlepping, feeding, cleaning, photo taking.  But really, it was a great time for all, and all were perfectly tired following celebration of life numero dos.

Today we awoke and after my son exited School of Religion, Pre-K, we drove to yet another birthday party.  This time, the celebrant turned 2 and the theme was trucks.  Our friends' son had a pretty good time, though he napped through the first half hour as everyone arrived.  He seemed happy to play with all the children, though.  Again, another nine children, not all the same, but similar age range as some of the families did repeat.  It was nice to catch up with the respective families at each celebration. Part of growing up, is meeting new people and the families that helped form them, but the catch is that even if you develop good relationships with the extended family, you really don't see them as often as you would like.  Birthdays are an excellent opportunity to catch up.

Our third celebration ended, and we moved on to celebration number four.  Definitely a more somber celebration than the first three, but just as important.  A dear friend of ours, that we have known for nine years now, was diagnosed with breast cancer almost six months ago.  She endured a double-mastectomy and chemotherapy over the summer, and for now, prognosis seems good.  We attended a beautiful Mass of Thanksgiving, and then the reception that followed.  It was beautiful:  pink everywhere, friends that most of us have not seen in months, and candy/sweets as far as the eye can see.  It was like falling into the cotton candy bin, though the candy was far more varied.  Our friend looked beautiful, regardless of the fact that she had lost her hair and that she had been through so much, she glowed with the promise of future days with friends and family.  It was touching to see her parents there to support her.  I was struck by the fact that they too were once holding their baby girl not knowing what awaited them so many years later.  It made me sad, but gave me hope for them and hope for each of us out there.  We all have our trials and tribulations.  We all have so many, many blessings to be thankful for, but God walks us through each step along the way.  He provides us with so much: comfort, strength, moments of joy.

The priest today gave a beautiful homily discussing the Gospel story: the workers who were paid the same regardless of when they came.  He made a point that I'd never heard when hearing this story before.  The workers that were chosen first were likely the strongest and the most able to give a full days work.  Those chosen later on in the day, were likely the weaker or less healthy or possibly women and children, who also needed a days wages.  The wages in that time were just enough to feed your family and yourself.  So, the master, was making sure that regardless of ability, everyone received what they needed.  He was not trying to gyp the first workers, only ensuring that those who were least able to work could still eat and feed their families.  Father said that we should remember in those times that seem unfair, that God is providing us with what we need and nothing more.  He is making good out of our experiences and helping changes take place that can increase our holiness.

It hit me in that moment.  It truly felt like the priest was talking to me.  Maybe it was the location.  We were married in the same church almost six and a half years ago, and experienced both the miscarriages in that church.  Walking in today, that was on my mind, but after the homily, it occurred to me that maybe it was in some way to lead us to the parish that is now our home.  I'm NOT saying that God caused the miscarriages, but rather that out of the pain, He led us to our current beautiful home.  A place of great growth and great peace, amazing friends and a pastor for whom I never cease to be thankful.  Beautiful things can come out of great sorrow, and yes my friends, life is sweet!

Since it's ilegible: "Alleluia, Salvation, and glory, and honor, and power, unto the Lord Christ Jesus!"

More on my time away, the "surgery files"

Upon returning, I finally went back to the doctor to have a surgeon check out my umbilical hernia. One of the many badges of motherhood, I guess, except in this case, the surgeon was concerned that I would be in trouble if I didn't get it repaired.  So, come last week...well, it's Saturday, so a week and half ago?  In I went for surgery.  Having never had a single surgery before, I was a little frightened.  But, all thankfully went well.  Waking up was painful and not the least bit untrippy.  It's so strange to lose a chunk of your life like that.  My surgery was outpatient, so after some pain-killer induced sleep in the recovery room, and some very interesting dreams, (no I won't share them, and no they aren't THAT kind of dream!  Shame on you!) we were off to our house.  Recovery has been slow and it's so hard to hold myself back every day.  I'm afraid to push to hard and injure myself, but as any of you moms know, it's hard to be down for the count when you care for two littles.

My parents and friends have shown up to the task and really offered help in the form of meals and support and hands to babysit and hold the baby.  It's been the ultimate exercise in humility.  It can be so hard to rely on others for what you need, and yet I imagine that it's what we really need to do with life.  Serve others, and allow them to serve us.  Sometimes it's harder to allow the serving than to do it.  I've also had great opportunity to "offer up" my pain. It's a learning curve to figure out how to nurse an older infant without causing pain to yourself.  It can be quite the task to keep a three year old from jumping on his mama in his unbridled enthusiasm.  Once my son started running, I've referred to him as the golden retriever puppy due to his great joy in experiencing life and the cute rambunctiousness. :)  I am completely grateful for all of the help and love that has poured my way.  Our community of family and friends are nothing short of miraculous.

Christmas Redux

It's my first post so why not jump in with something slightly heavy, right?

I cannot, cannot understand proliferation of Christmas in OCTOBER. What?!? Can we please get through Thanksgiving first?!?  I will readily admit that a few years ago, two of our local radio stations started a Christmas music war. Who could be the first to play all caroling, all the time? At that point, I enjoyed the early music, but I've put more thought into it in recent years. Christmas is not technically supposed to start until December 25. That's right folks, Christmas should start on the DAY OF Christmas, not two months before that Madison Avenue has launched. I'm not sure that I can support carols the day after Halloween. I absolutely cannot stand seeing decorations and other items in stores in early October. I know that a certain children's furniture store started with stockings and stuffers that early, as my son and I attend their story time pretty often. A store that for the life of me, I cannot remember, unveiled part of their Christmas regalia in September! I remember thinking that seeing Christmas gear before my end of the month birthday was insane.

And truly? It really is! Why did we get to a point where Christmas is once again more of a pagan holiday than what it was meant to represent. Christ is born to save us all! Why is it okay to reduce that to "a few more shopping days"? I will never understand the change that has occured over the years, and it honestly has made me want to put off decorating or anything Christmas as long as possible. If I can be one of the few holdouts, I will be happy.  I will truly try to experience Advent this year without jumping the gun.  No early carols in this house, and I really think I will delay the tree. However, I will leave the tree up for the TRUE Christmas season- the twelve days AFTER Christmas day. And my presents? I think this year, I will try to keep them as religious-based as possible. It's the reason we have Christmas to begin with, right? My family will receive homemade rosaries and other items to hopefully advance their spiritual lives. That I believe is the REAL reason for the season!