Resurrection

What a week this has been!  Today, as we end the month of August and get ready to flip the page to September in our planners and calendars, I feel a sense of excitement and being resurrected! 

 

Why?

 

Well, for several reasons that I suppose you could say fall into school, social, and spiritual categories.

 

Let's start with school.  Tuesday was a baaaad teaching day.  The seating chart I worked so hard on last weekend was a disaster and the group activity was a big flop like a fish out of water.  So, come Thursday morning, I felt I really had to redeem myself.  Come heck or high water, I was determined to turn the group activity around into a successful venture while still also getting across the six language theories in an engaging yet informative manner and yes, I would get this done in just 60 minutes. 

 

Well, things went swimmingly well and it was awesome to see some "light bulb going off" reactions flash across the faces of my students as we dove deeper into the theories.  It almost made spending 8 hours planning for this one hour class the night before at the office worth it. 

 

The other school related item that has been weighing on me has revolved around my committee.  For those of you who have been following my progress with my dissertation, you might recall that I've been in a bit of a rut since my proposal defense back in late April.  I have made slow but steady steps forward but have not progressed as much as I should have due to conflicting views/opinions among my committee members.  After a series of unexpected events and a slight change in my committee has occurred, I now have four supportive and "on board with me" committee members which has helped to lighten the weight on my shoulders!  Of course, this does not mean things are all of a sudden easy overnight but the burden has shifted and is a bit easier to carry now.  It almost feels like with the addition of my new committee member, as if the weight of the cross is more bearable.  I wonder if this is what it may have felt like for Jesus when Simon of Cyrene stooped down to help bear the weight of the heavy wooden cross that rested upon Jesus' shoulder when he fell during the 5th Station of the Cross.

 

Moving on to the social category, I have been helping to spread the word about the upcoming NCSC and am so excited to catch up with old friends and introduce them to some girls I'm traveling with from NC.  What a wonderful opportunity for those of us who plan to attend to grow in faith through fun social activities and to make friends with folks from all over the country!!  We are under a month from when this retreat-like conference will take place and I am excited about this trip.  In talking with my spiritual advisor, Fr. Vince, this morning, he reminded me of the importance of being open and putting yourself out there in different opportunities to allow for God's will and work to occur through us, His people.  Who knows what will come out of this conference?  At the least, friendships will be formed and strengthened.  I can't wait to see what God has in store for all those who will attend...at last count, an estimated 400 to 500 folks would be participating in this event!

 

The reasons I feel a renewed sense of getting back up again or resurrected that fall in the spiritual category will be outlined here.  I don't know why I waited so long to talk with my home (in NC) pastor.  After talking with a priest in Emmitsburg, MD on St. Patrick's Day and with another in Dover, DE last month, I sought spiritual direction from my spiritual advisor here in NC.  I feel so fortunate to be able to email my priest and be able to talk to him, in person, about anything and everything.  What a beautiful gift we have in our faith to have that direct access!  Most times, after talking with Fr. Vince, I come away from the encounter with a sense of calm, peace, and clarity.  We need more excellent priests like Fr. as well as other members of the religious, so please take a moment with me to stop and send up a prayer for vocations and continued ministry as well as thanks to these individuals who sacrifice their lives to devote their all to our faith.  It takes a special sort of person to do such a thing in my opinion.

 

I also had the unexpected bonus of Father offering to attend my defense (he has a background in academia and has attended plenty of defenses), which I would never have thought of on my own....what a generous offer!  In envisioning the defense, I can already feel a sense of peace in not only my advisor who has been with me through thick and thin being there and in the supportive mentoring provided by my committee members but the unanticipated thought of positive and calming Fr. Vince also being there...?  Well that's just icing on the cake and further motivation for me to stay on track and be sure all my ducks are in a row.  They might be bobbing in the water and even going around in small circles but hey, as long as they're in some sort of row, I'll be okay with that right? 

 

Finally, as I sit back and marvel on the events of this past week and this morning, I can't help but continue to be amazed at the awesome way our God works when following His will rather than mine.  As the actress who spoke at the pro-life banquet last year said, "When God shows up, He shows up BIG" and I'm so excited to see what he has in mind over the next few months as I wrap up my time down here in NC.  Times are a changing, laws are being passed, the world keeps spinning, and confusion exists but as Fr. Vince reminded me this morning, Love is love.  Jesus was the pure embodiment of going against the trend or what was considered acceptable at the time such as associating with public sinners.  Think of the Samaritan woman at the Well.  Jesus spoke to her when by custom, he shouldn't have since he was a Jew.  Did Jesus care about what others thought of him?  Did he follow the "rules" to a T?  Did he shun the poor, the sick, the lame, the outcasts?  Love is love.  Rather than judging and conforming to what is deemed as appropriate, Jesus showed kindness and love (to those who seek grace and forgiveness).  As a Catholic woman living in 2013, I know some may question my actions or lack of actions but those who truly know me and understand my faith will be able to understand the difference between supporting something that may be happening and showing love to my fellow brothers and sisters.  We are all human and beautifully flawed in this world.  As the old expression goes, A church is a hospital for sinners, not a museum for saints.

"Late have I loved Thee O beauty so ancient and so new..
You were within me but I was outside and there I sought You..
in my weakness I ran after the lovely things You created-
You were with me but I was not with You-
the things You created kept me from You..
You called and shouted and forced open my deafness..shined out brightly and dispelled my blindness.."                       St Augustine of Hippo


My friend, Sean Merrigan, created this beautiful image.  Find him on Facebook...perhaps he could create a personal image/quote for you?  :)

Pennsylvania everywhere!

On the way to work this morning, I was in a good mood due to a PA reference I encountered in the living room.  As I ate my breakfast, a toy truck from Knoebels was lying on the other end of the couch which prompted memories of long lost summer days spent at the amusement park to flood my brain.  

Then, as I turned into the parking lot on campus, a huge Hershey's Ice Cream truck blocked my way since it was making a delivery.  Happy times from the "sweetest" place on Earth brought a smile to my face (and made me drool a bit as I thought of their yummy chocolate).  

Minutes later, I was busy with the hustle and bustle of teaching, writing, and meetings.  Before I knew it, the day (and feelings of PA nostalgia) got away from me...until I made the drive home from work tonight...behind a family van with a Pennsylvania license plate!  Seeing the familiar tag reminded me of the PA references from this morning.  As I followed the van, I was reminded of the family trips we used to make in our 1984 red Astro van as a child.  I miss the days of seeing my brothers and my parents all the time.  It's funny to think that there were times in high school, especially during senior year, when I couldn't wait to "leave home" and go to college all across the state at good ol' IUP.  Sometimes, I wish I could go back and talk to the teenage version of myself and tell the younger Meg to enjoy the moments with her brothers and parents.  I would tell her to embrace it all just a bit more, even the times of being irritated and annoyed by them, because the time when you will only see them a few times a year will come all too fast.  

 
I pray that after graduation in May, I will be able to go back to a kind of life where I will be able to see my brothers and parents at least once a month if not more often but then that puts me in the dilemma of wondering how I am going to deal with the transition of not seeing my beautiful NC family on a regular basis anymore??!!  It's almost enough to make you not want to get close to others for fear the pain of not being around them anymore will be greater than the joy of being a part of their lives brings you.  

Would it be better to just cut yourself off from others and live an isolated life?  Is it better to keep up a wall so that you can keep potential close others at bay and maintain distance so that you don't experience rejection and hurt in the long run?  




I don't think so.  






I think you have to go through the pain to really appreciate the glory.  As Psalms 30:5 reminds us, "Weeping may endure for a night, But joy comes in the morning".





Ah, home really is where the heart is for me.  Yet, I know wherever I wind up, I will always take a little bit of it with me in my heart! 

Go out to all the world and tell the Good News

We heard the title of this blog posting in mass this past weekend.  So, in the spirit of sharing something really good with y'all (yes, I said it!), check this out:

http://www.nationalcatholicsingles.com/




The 12th annual National Catholic Singles Conference (NCSC) will be held on the East Coast for the first time in the last ten years in the Philadelphia area (King of Prussia to be exact) next month!!

In the past, this faith filled fun retreat type conference has been held in Denver and Chicago (multiple times), San Diego, Florida, and San Antonio.  While I have never attended any of these, several of my friends have and they have encouraged me to join the fun the last few years.  Due to my current financial/living situation, I've always had to decline and live vicariously through my friends' photos and posts on Facebook. 



Until this year!!! 





This year, since it's being held in my home state of Pennsylvania, I can drive to the conference and finally see for myself what this is all about....and to boot, many of my friends are  helping to plan/coordinate it which is even better....so much so, that I've been roped into helping through volunteering (surprise, surprise to those of you who know of my penchant for volunteering~ahem).  ;-)

So, if you've been considering going to this event, please do! 

When else would you have the opportunity to meet so many others, network, and grow in faith-filled fun?? 

What's stopping you?       Fear of not knowing anyone? 

Well, strangers are just friends waiting to happen. 

Fear of trying something new?             Break out of your comfort zones! 


Cost?  There are scholarships available for the asking, carpools are forming, and folks are rooming together to save a few bucks so it can be quite doable!




Shoot me an email or leave a comment here if you have any questions!  Hope to see you in Philly:  the city of brotherly love next month to celebrate our faith & vocations, whatever they may be!



Click here for the Facebook page for this event!






My friend, Lisa, is coordinating the huge speed dating party that will be happening prior to the conference!  If you are interested in this Speed Dating Party, the ticket will cost $20 in advance and $25 at the door.  It is the kick-off event for the National Catholic Singles Conference but is open to the public for those of you who may not be planning to attend the whole conference.

The author of this book will be giving the Women's Talk
 

Tentative Schedule

Friday, September 27th

1:00pm-4:00 – Pre-Conference Events
4:00pm-7:00pm: Registration and Check-in, opportunity to browse exhibits
6:00pm: Holy Mass
7:00pm: Welcome, Opening Mixer
8:00pm: Opening Keynote: Fr. Thomas Loya
9:00pm: Lite Welcome Reception, sponsored by CatholicMatch.com (confessions available until 11pm)
11:00pm: Night Prayer
11:30pm: Continue socializing (location TBA)

Saturday, September 28th:
7:30am: Rosary Walk (optional; also, confessions available from 8am-5pm)
8:00am: Morning Prayer, followed by mixer
8:30am: General Session: Lisa Duffy
9:45am: Break
10:00am: Men’s Workshop: Fr. Thomas Loya / Women’s workshop: Emily Stimpson
11:00am: Break
11:30am: Holy Mass
12:30pm: Luncheon (confessions available during lunch break as well as other times)
2:15pm: General Session: Daniel Mattson
3:30pm: Break
4:00pm: Adoration Service (Exposition and Benediction of the Blessed Sacrament; An adoration chapel will also be available during the conference for private prayer. The Sacrament of Reconciliation will also be available throughout the conference.)
5:00pm: Dinner Break (Dine Around or with friends at local restaurants)
8:00pm: Dance Lessons
8:30pm to midnight: Dance with cash bar (Dress-up affair – cocktail/After 5 attire)
Midnight: Night Prayer in the Chapel

Sunday, September 29th:
8:30am: Rosary Walk (optional)
9:00am: Morning Prayer
9:30am: Closing Session: Damon Owens
11:00am: Break
11:30am: Closing Mass: Bishop Michael J. Fitzgerald, celebrant
2:00pm: Post-conference events begin
Confessions will be available throughout the conference.

 

There's a change a comin'!

This is going out to my colleagues, both those who are near and those who are afar...as we start a new semester.  We got this!!!  (Fist pump) 

=)





What are your goals for Fall 2013??

Here are mine (in random order)......these all flash through my mind when people ask what I'm up to these days (kind of like how they say when you think you're going to die, you see your whole life flash by in your head) and this is the answer I should have provided when a colleague asked me the other day, "Why are you on campus?  Shouldn't you be working on your dissertation??" or to others when they say, "You're done with classes, what are you doing now?" or "What's with all the writing...aren't you close to being done by now?":

Ø  I will find a home for the resubmitted NLCSD manuscript with 2 colleagues

 

Ø  I will read my (with colleagues) first published article in Exceptional Children!

 

Ø  I will finish the draft of the first itinerant study manuscript and continue working on the second itinerant study manuscript with colleagues

 

Ø  I will continue working on the draft of the CA project manuscript with a colleague

 

Ø  I will read my (with colleagues) first published article in Education and Training in Autism and Developmental Disabilities! 

 

Ø  I will finish the draft of the journal analysis project of The Volta Review manuscript with a colleague

 

Ø  I will find out if I'm presenting at the Council for Exceptional Children Conference, in Philly in April 2014

 

Ø  I will assist with transfer of face to face class to a hybrid online course scheduled for Spring 2014 with colleagues

 

• I will spend at least five minutes each day with each child in this house....well, every other day or every two days depending on all of our conflicting schedules.

• I will take the pup for a walk at least twice a week.

• I will continue teaching twice a week.

• I will finish Ch. 4 and Ch. 5 of the dissertation.

• I will continue searching for a job (hopefully in PA or 3 hours from there).

Can I get this all done in a measly 4 months?!  I pray that I can!  I'm also hoping that since I wrote these in yes I can terms that I will believe these items will be crossed off the list in a timely fashion!! Eek!

Sparkly Memories

This past summer, my former roommate in PA (and BFF) and I had an Origami Owl party while I was home working on my dissertation study.  If you are unfamiliar with this cute jewelry company, click here. 

We enjoyed yummy treats, fun times with good girlfriends, & talked with Wendi, our OO consultant/friend, late into the night as the pups played with one another after the gals had left Ash's house.

A few weeks later, I was excited to get my cute little package in the mail once back in NC.  The kids (and Dusty Shamrock) were excited to help me "build" my necklace during lunch on a babysitting day.

Sleeping Beauties

I came home from work late tonight to find these cuddling children in dreamland together.  Adorable!!

Promote what you love (behave your way into being positive)!

After a particularly trying day at work today (well, all of this week has been trying!), I came home tonight and saw this image pop up in my newsfeed. 

.....And guilty as charged am I.  Tonight, after a meeting at work, I heard some tough words to swallow from some colleagues of mine and the words in this picture further drove home the point.  Couldn't we all stand to benefit from following this advice.  Think of how much better life would be if we focused on the positive rather than the short end of the stick or the curveballs life can throw at us.  We need to turn our frowns upside down...even if results will not be seen in the short term; we need to think about what we leave behind us. 

This raises the question:  what legacy will you be leaving in your wake?  Sure, changes can be implemented at your job or place of employment that might not have an impact on you but they could possibly have a lasting effect on those who follow in your footsteps.  Is it better to be bitter and jaded about what life has dealt you or should you try to remain positive, open, and caring through it all?  Time and again, I'm reminded of the need to be forgiving and charitable but gosh, it's so difficult to do sometimes when all you would rather do is just run in the other direction and cut off all ties.  I'm curious....what are ways you have embraced your crosses??  Please keep me in your prayers!  If you have any prayer intentions, leave them here or send me a message.  I will be going to Adoration in a week and will take them with me to the Chapel.  Pax!

Nothing Left to Lose

This Saturday will mark the one year anniversary of when a dozen or so of us gathered together to remember our friend, Shaun.  In early July 2012, Shaun ended his own life.  Below is what I had posted on the Facebook event page of an event I had coordinated for friends who were unable to attend Shaun's funeral. 

Since quite a few of us are unable to attend Shaun's funeral, we were hoping to get together on the evening of Friday, August 24th, to offer up an hour of Adoration at St. Margaret Mary's Chapel in Harrisburg. I used to go there frequently when I lived in Harrisburg..it's a very small and peaceful place..and would be so awesome to fill with Shaun's friends that night to lift him up in prayer!

Also, there are small blue holy hour cards on the wall beside the donation box that we could use to send to his family if we wanted to do so.

August 24th also happens to be the feast day of St. Bartholomew (see below for more info. on his story).

Do you have a good friend who truly knows and loves you? Bartholomew, one of Jesus’ Twelve Apostles, discovered that Jesus knew him even before they had met for the first time. The Apostle Philip brought Bartholomew, who is also called Nathanael in the Gospels, to Jesus, telling him that Jesus was the person the prophets spoke about, the promised one of God. The moment Jesus saw Nathanael, he praised him, saying that he could see that there was no dishonesty in his heart. Nathanael immediately began to believe in Jesus. Jesus told Bartholomew that he would see great things because of his faith.

Jesus’ words certainly came true. Bartholomew did see and hear many great things as an Apostle of Christ. He saw Jesus heal the sick and perform other signs to show people God’s love. He heard Jesus talk about the Kingdom of God that was open to everyone who lived with love. He saw Jesus suffer and die on the cross to save all people from sin and he saw the Risen Lord, who told his disciples that they, too, could live forever if they followed him and his teachings.

After receiving the Holy Spirit on Pentecost, Bartholomew traveled to foreign lands to share the Good News about Jesus with others. He founded Christian communities in parts of India and the countries we now call Armenia and Turkey. Although he always spoke the truth about Jesus, some people did not believe him and he died as a martyr.

St. Bartholomew reminds us that no one knows and loves us as much as Jesus. Like him, we can give our hearts and lives completely to the Lord. Even though Shaun faced many challenges, no one can argue that he didn't give his heart completely to God and our faith.

Lately, it seems suicide has been more rampant.  During the last three weeks, two celebrities have killed themselves and a friend of a friend who was an up and coming singer/songwriter (see below for one of his songs called, "Nothing Left to Lose").  It's so sad to think these individuals felt they had nothing left to lose and chose to end things.  What a sad world...we all have our inner demons and feel times of tremendous sadness.  I can only pray for those who are afflicted with such despair and no hope for coming out of the darkness and those whom they have left behind through their actions.  Life is such a precious gift and it breaks my heart to think of those who will never know these folks.  Let's all cast up a prayer for those struggling from depression/anxiety/mental issues. 

Let's give and take til it's nothing...nothing left to lose and we can begin to heal.  http://mattryd.bandcamp.com/track/nothing-left-to-lose

Color My World

My parents met (possibly at this exact moment...?) 39 years ago on this date.




At a dance club as my Mom will tell you.
















Or at a bar as my Dad will tell you.





Either way, I'm glad they did because otherwise, my three brothers and I would not be here!  Nor would my beautiful niece and handsome nephews!! 









Family.






'Tis a grand thing!  Almost as grand as a little thing called love.

     May they have many more years of dancing together!  xoxo

My arms are too small

Today was the first day of teaching a class I'm teaching this Fall.  This course is dramatically different from the one I taught last Fall.  I have 29 students (so far) and have yet to learn all their names in spite of receiving top notch advice from several friends via Facebook...THANK YOU ALL!!!

In fact, I'm going to post them here for easy reference for future classes I teach or in case any of you are in need of strategies.  What great resources we have at our fingertips by sending out a plea via Fb!!

Ok teacher friends, now that most of you have started (or are about to start) a new year: I need advice on how to quickly learn & remember 30+ names. What works for you??

I have an icebreaker activity planned and will learn the names then but I don't think my usual method of having the students make name cards to keep on their desks in front of them for a couple days will work due to the set up of the classroom (I won't be able to see the rows in the back..).

Thanks in advance for sharing your ideas! Happy Back to School Week to you all! — feeling determined.

 

I think of one visual cue to go with each name so heather's last name is (dishware sounding name) so we always called her hearing heather dishware or your hair reminds me of nutmeg so i woould remember you are meg with nut meg hair

 

I print out my faces (blackboard has option to do so for your course), and memorize them!

 

I'm not a teacher, but I am the son of a teacher and a librarian. My suggestion is to have the students sit in alphabetical order at the beginning of the school year.

 

I make a classroom diagram and write their names where they sit. Then when they introduce themselves I write down 2-3 words that will help me remember them.

 

I spend the entire first day (high school class period) letting them do one of those "find someone who..." Worksheets. I spend that time talking to each student. I ask them to tell me something unique about themselves and I make notes. At the end of the period I turn around and ask them to switch seats. And I rattle off their names to their amazement. By the end if the day I have memorized all 140-150 of them.

 

Seating chart - and get to know them. I usually learn all of my students names in about 3 class periods - and that is over 200!

 

I use sticks. Names on one side, nick names on the other. I make a "chart" out of them on the desk and rearrange them frequently.

 

Just when they raise hands to ask a question/say something say "remind me of your name again" "first tell us all your name" and when they say it just repeat it aloud like "thank you bob, and what were you going to say" ... they will stick quicker than you think! and the placards on their desk may not be visible from one point, but if you move around the class a lot they'll still be a help!

 

I don't think any of my professors knew my name, unless I went to them for something! Good for you for even trying! Also, I have no advice...I get the names of the kids mixed up!

 

If there are 20 or so this is ideal. You and everyone else will know each other within 30 minutes. Add an adjective to your name with the same first letter; e.g. Big Bill, Amazing Amanda, Jumpin' Joe... One person starts. The second person has to repeat the first person and add her own name. The third person says both and adds his. Each person repeats every name before them then adds their own. So you hear them all over and over. They are amazed when the last person names everyone. Then we do random order. Works every time!

 

Walk through your house in your mind. Assign a name to each piece of furniture you have as you walk by. Take the same path every time when you call roll and you will have an association of a person with a thing. *Sounds crazy, but it works.

*(Only if you have enough furniture)

 

I have them stay in the same seat for a few days...once I see them in the same spot, I can remember easier.

 

I do something a little similar to what Bill does. We all stand in a circle. Each person must say his or her name and provide dome type of signal. The next person has to repeat the previous person's name and signal and provide one of his or her own. By the time we get to the end, it can get tricky to remember everyone's information, but they all seem.to like it. I've even done it with seniors, but anymore I just use it with my 7th graders.

You should have everyone wear name tags. Its easier!

 

My response to these fantastic responses from my pals:  OH MY WORD!!! You guys are all awesome! I definitely learned a lot from these suggestions/posts and in fact, am compiling them for easy reference in the future!!! THANK YOU so much for being willing to share your ideas!!! I wish I could say I know all 29 of my students after this morning's class but I don't (yet). I went with the trusty old placard idea since I was pleasantly surprised to find out we were in a different classroom than what I expected!! I can't wait to try these strategies out soon though!

 

After teaching this morning, I was starving by the time lunch rolled around but had neglected to pack and bring one today.  So, I dug deep into my bag and found an old bag of Stauffer's animal crackers.  As I tore open the bag and munched on the crackers, bittersweet feelings came over me.  This was the final package of animal crackers that remained from my dissertation proposal defense meeting that was held back in April.  You can see the snacks in the center of the table in this picture.

 

 

I had brought York Peppermint Patties and Stauffer's Animal Crackers for my committee to snack on since both snacks are made in York, PA where I had planned to conduct my dissertation study (cute right?).  I had snapped this picture as I prepared for my defense shortly before my committee members entered the room.  This was before the defense fell apart and the meeting ended so horribly...and to be honest, I've not fully recovered from the defeat I felt during this meeting.  If anything, I've been sinking deeper and deeper into the bottomless pit of worry, anxiety, & fear as I moved along with revisions and currently in data analysis despite the façade of cheerful confidence I strive to put on at school.  The way I feel about the dissertation process right now is a bit like when you walk into a dark room before your eyes have adjusted to the darkness and you tentatively feel your way through the void afraid you're going to stumble but still creeping along bit by bit. 

 

Going back to school to work on my doctorate would be no walk in the park.  It was going to be filled with challenges and pushing myself to be better.  I knew this going into it.  What I wasn't prepared for though were the politics, mind games, and dynamics of working with certain individuals in the context of a committee; particularly of working with clashing personalities and headstrong individuals.  Call me naïve but I wasn't prepared for that at all. 

 

They say you should embrace your cross and struggles with a grateful heart.  Tonight, at dinner, while talking about all of this with a new friend, I was reminded of the story of a saint who was quoted as saying she welcomed hardships and trials since she could "offer it up"....I'm all for suffering (to an extent...what can I say, I'm human!) and have never shied away from hard work or proving wrong others' doubts in me (just ask my parents sometime). 

 

 

But sometimes I just feel like my arms are too small for this darn cross. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Yet I know we're not given what we can't handle. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

So, I'm going to keep on trudging on...ironically, as I typed this last sentence, Delilah started playing this song, one that holds a lot of meaning for me.  This is a Godincidence I needed to hear tonight as I return to schoolwork....

 

 

 

 

 

 

In closing, I glanced up and drew inspiration from these little gems I've picked up along the way that are hanging up on my filing cabinet.  Ha!  I knew there was a reason I placed them on that drawer...they are eye level from my primary working spot.  We all need reminders from time to time no?

 

Wow, just now, as I was about to publish this post, Delilah shared these words on the radio: 

If someone is making you feel insecure or inferior.  Don’t listen.  God made you wonderful.  It’s true no one can make you feel that way.  You have to buy into it.  Stop buying into it.  Life’s too short and you have choices.

 

 

Amen...now I just need to believe it!

 

 

Cousins & Babies

Several months ago, I was asked which decade of the Rosary best describes my personality.  Here was my response:

Hmm, I would probably say the Visitation from the Joyful Mysteries!  I've always loved the story of Mary going to Elizabeth when she found out she was with child and Elizabeth knowing instinctively that Mary was also expecting!!  Since I didn't have any sisters growing up, I imagined that having one would be much be like how Mary and Elizabeth interacted.  Even though Mary and Elizabeth were cousins, they shared a close bond that I imagined I would share with a sister had I had one.  This is one of the reasons why I chose Elizabeth as my Confirmation Saint as I've always been drawn to that name and saint.  Then, my twin brother grew up and married an Elizabeth, a woman I'm close to today.  The Visitation relates to my personality because I love to travel to see and visit with loved ones!

Today is the Holy Day of the Assumption of the Blessed Virgin Mary.  During Mass today, we heard the story about Elizabeth greeting Mary which reminded me of the above response.  As I reflected on the sorrows and joys of Mary's life, I couldn't help but again realize how much I need to grow in embracing the challenges set before me (rather than feeling frustrated/paralyzed with fear/angry) and to persevere in faith in spite of it all as Mary so beautifully did.  During his homily, Fr. Tom asked what the dragons are in our lives that bring us confusion and chaos instead of peace.  Yes, this current school year....and the dissertation process......and committee confusion has thrust me into a state of chaos and never ceasing worry but there are moments of peace scattered throughout these days.  They come in the form of a caring advisor who takes time out of her terribly hectic and busy day to check in or simply shoot a smile my way.  They occur when I feel the little arms of my older niece and nephew wrapped around my legs begging me to not leave for school that morning (ok, that doesn't sound peaceful but knowing they care enough to want me to stay home with them is pretty nice).  Comfort is felt in the warmth of a small furry puppy tangled up at my feet as I write late into the night.  Moments spent reading a note sent through the mail help to calm the always churning thoughts.  The moments just before sleep comes spent talking with God help to give me hope that tomorrow might be a little bit more productive, and if not, then that's okay too.  

Today's feast day also marks half of the month meaning I have exactly six weeks to get Chapter 4 written, which at this very moment seems like an impossible task.  I can't wait to come back to this blog posting on October 1st and think to myself, huh, what were you so worried about, you got it done after all!  

Positive thinking, eh?! 

So, sitting in the pew this morning, reflecting on the things that bring us chaos/confusion versus peace, made me think of the hard working moms (and dads) who are trying to "do it all", who after working all day (or night) have to then be "on" for the children and be a parent throughout the chores, events, activities, etc.  Please help them to grow in peace and achieve some sense of calmness in spite of the hustle and bustle of daily living.  Really, that prayer could be said for us all, even those of us, without children.  Let us all grow in understanding and love for one another, rather than talk negatively or tear down others with our words and actions.  After Communion, I noticed a couple at the end of the line.  The gentleman went ahead of the woman to receive Eucharist but rather than walking back to his pew as is custom, he stepped aside and bowed his head down in prayer.  His wife received Communion, then turned to husband who was patiently waiting for her.  The two walked hand in hand back to their pew where he let her in to her pew before he took his seat.  No words were exchanged and the whole interaction took less than five seconds but it made a profound impact on me.  I know I have blogged on here in the past about gentlemanly actions versus independent women but there was something beautifully inspiring about that simple act of waiting for and accompanying one another back to the pew.  If we could all be a little more charitable and demonstrate such kindness to one another, think of how happy we could make others with such small random acts of kindness.

Later in the day, when I returned to my phone, I had a message from my cousin asking to call him.  We spoke for a few minutes before he asked if I would serve his wife and him the honor of being godmother to their baby daughter!  How neat to receive this request on today of all days and when I had heard a reading about two loving cousins visiting one another over baby business.  Now, I get to plan a trip to Pittsburgh in September (making for three back-to-back weekends in my home state....how in the world will I pull this off money and time-wise?!) to meet my cousins' baby girl and become her godmother!  How sweet of my cousins to ask me and I can't wait to share in Sadie Jo's special day and see my Pittsburgh family!

Billy & Richele's wedding day...my how time flies !  I remember this wedding weekend as being my first weekend after classes in the PhD program had started which meant that I had to spend the whole way up to PA and back to NC reading and doing homework as my brother drove.

My newest goddaughter...isn't she just precious??!

Proud new godparents!  My cousin, Mikey, will be Sadie's godfather.  :)

 Now, I must get going so I can get back to data analysis/drafting Ch. 4....with all these fun events happening in PA in September, I have a lot to do to try to stick with my Sept. 30th deadline!