All Souls

 

Finally got a chance to visit the cemetery to pray for All Souls, but especially those dear to us.

 

 

This year it hasn't frosted yet, so we have an abundance of the cold loving camellias along with a lot of late blooming summer flowers.

 

I had so many flowers this year, instead of bouquets I just plucked the flower heads to make arrangements on the graves.

I thought it was very pretty!

Klenda helped with the arranging, and I think, next year, I'll have all the kids do some if they like.

We had all voted by mail weeks ago, so today was a beautiful and peaceful day to pray and talk about our loved ones.

Wordless Wednesday: All Souls

Anniversary

Grammy and Pop

Today is the first anniversary of my dear MIL's passing, so prayers for our family would be appreciated. We'll be spending the day together.

Thanks to all of you who have been concerned about our pneumonia.  We're all doing much better, and my energy is slowly coming back - very helpful! 

I have been mostly out of commission for the past 3 weeks which is why you haven't seen many substantive posts lately. A lot got cancelled - very Lenten, actually!  Today I worked out a new schedule which has us starting up after Easter, so more fun soon.

Last Lenten Thoughts

 I have to say, this has been the lentiest Lent ever, and I don't see that as a bad thing.

From the first surgery on Shrove Tuesday, to her burial the day before Palm Sunday, we've walked the way of the cross (and thank you to all of you who have walked with us).

Now in this holy week, we are looking at how all this relates to Jesus' suffering and death.

 This is why He came, that last Saturday's burial would not be the end.

He walked our way of pain so He could be with us when we make that walk, and He walked ahead of us to make a way out of the darkness.

This time has been such a beautiful gift.

This is the first time someone this close to me has died: she dropped by for tea at least once a week, and we saw each other or talked not quite daily.  There's a big hole left by her passing.

But what a gift to be able to be with her so much these last months!  Our whole family drew together to love and support her.  We have no regrets, no words left unsaid.

She was with me for the birth of each one of my children, and that's what her death felt like to me: another birth, this time to eternal life.

And it was a beautiful birth! Newly baptized, it was a gentle letting go surrounded by her husband and children, surrounded by love.

I can't describe the overwhelming gratitude I feel: that I could be there for her, the way she was for me; that our family is so close and loving; that she was my Mom for 26 years,

Beyond this is the greater gratitude: that the Lord walked so closely with us, that He died for her, and so, I'll see her again.

A Final Update and a Thank You

I am sad to say that "barring any new infections" did not last long.

When you are that fragile, any small infection turns large very quickly.

My much beloved mother-in-law passed peacefully to Eternal Life yesterday evening, surrounded by the loving presence and prayers of her husband and children (including children-in-law).

Thank you so much to all of you who prayed for her!  She accepted Baptism less than an hour before her passing.  Truly, she passed from love to Love.

We all miss her so much, but we are glad she is home.

We've had a Mass offered for all those who prayed for her.  Thank you, thank you, thank you!  May God bless you abundantly for your charity and compassion to us in our hour (month!) of need.