Logistics once again has determined a small change in this week’s post schedule. Instead of Mama Monday Minis, Peace Garden Mama presents, Sunday Salonen Shorties.
* “It’s a Twister!” Do you see it? If you look closely enough, you will. It’s the most exciting couple minutes of bathtime — the Twister! It swirls and shimmies and pulls the last bit of water down, down, down. In childhood, no moment of wonder, no matter how diminutive, goes unnoticed. I think that’s what I’ve loved most about motherhood — having the chance to experience the amazements of life all over again. If I’m lucky and God wills it, just about the time I’ve become blind to these sweet spectacles, my grandchildren will be here to point them out to me.
* Kid Quotes: I’ve been collecting them the last couple weeks. Here are a few of the best:
“Everything changes once you get up.” — Adam, 7, contemplating leaving a warm bed for the real world.
“Mom, I can be your cup-holder for your pop!” (pause…) “Can I have a drink? (takes a drink…) “Hey, it’s a moving cup-holder!” — Nick, 4
“Why do you guys get to decide everything??!!” – Olivia, age 12, talking to her very unenlightened parents
“Mom, when you die, will I still be alive?” — Deep Thoughts by Nick
“Mom, why did George Washington only make a one-dollar?…cuz…it’s not really a lot.” — Another Deep Thought by Nick
* Lent-weary? Consider this: We’re now a couple weeks into Lent, around the time fasting and other commitments begin to feel a little less doable. But take heart. If staying the course has been more challenging than anticipated, St. Francis has some words of encouragement (thanks to Maria Ruiz Scaperlanda for sharing these reflections with me):
February 28: We should never tire of making good resolutions, even when we know that we will not keep them. Even if we should feel absolutely certain that it will be impossible to put them into practice, we should not immediately give up. We should hold on until we have sufficient courage to say to the Lord: It is true, Lord, I haven’t the strength to do it or suffer this, but I rejoice in this fact, that Your strength will work in me. With this support I will go ahead to face the battle, and I will win. (Spiritual Treatises IX; O. VI, p. 155)
[From the book, “Everyday with St. Francis de Sales” edited by Rev. Francis J. Klauder]
* Prayers for Ryan: I had the privilege of leading the 11 a.m. Mass in song this morning. From my post up front, I could see so many of the family members and friends of Ryan Mayer who had come to worship and, later, take part in the spaghetti dinner fundraiser for the benefit of Ryan and his family. The turnout was spectacular. I am so glad. Ryan and his wife, Lori, and their three small children are truly deserving of this outpouring of love. No matter where you are in the world, you can all do something for them. Pray for a miracle, please, that his brain cancer will reverse and he will be restored to health. If you’d like to catch up on Ryan’s journey, you can go to the caringbridge site, and if prompted, type in “ryanmayer.”
* Bar-stangled spanner: I’m a bit nervous for tomorrow night. I’ll be singing the Star-Spangled Banner at the FirstChoice Clinic’s annual fundraising banquet. This event is one of my favorite nights of the year — a time for those who support life from conception til death to come together for mutual encouragement and raise money for our local crisis pregnancy clinic. The real highlight of the evening will be guest speaker Kay Cole James who, along with her husband, founded Black Americans for Life and has been a pioneer in the prolife movement. See more here.
* Radio ready: It’s my turn to host “Real Presence Live” Monday morning from 9 to 11 a.m. CST. I’ll be interviewing Conversion Diary’s Jennifer Fulwiler, Catholicmom.com’s Lisa Hendey, and for the second hour, we’ll have our second segment of “From the Catholic View,” during which time we’ll be discussing, “Discerning Family Size through the Eyes of the Church.” I’m looking forward to two hours of invigorating discussion!
The snow has been melting here this weekend. Wish I’d had my camera out to grab some images of the glorious dripping. Each drop is a sign of hope for us — hope that one more inch of potential river flooding will be kept at bay.
Have a wonderful, peace-filled week!
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