Faith-based, Uncategorized

It all starts with Faith … Literally

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I absolutely love word games and make an effort each day to do the daily New York Times mini puzzles. Anything to help the brain stay sharp and nimble 😊 Connections is probably my favorite but I also enjoy Wordle. It’s become somewhat of a competition among our family.

For those of you not familiar with Wordle, you get six chances to figure out a random 5-letter word. There are all sorts of strategies; picking a word with lots of vowels (like miaou or adieu) to start or choosing words with lots of consonants (like watch or bench) and mathematicians and researchers even recommend starting with one of the following words: soare, crane, salet or chase. My strategy is quite simple and it all starts with faith. Literally.

I always start with the word “faith”. Some days I need all 6 tries. Other days I can solve it in 2 but 91% of the time, I will successfully complete the puzzle. If faith is the start to your day, to a puzzle, to a conversation or to a problem, you are pretty much guaranteed success. I’ll take a 91% success rate any day! It’s not about winning or perfection. It’s about faith.

Faith is believing is something you cannot see. We can’t physically see God but we can see him in others. We can’t see our Lady but we can feel her loving arms around us. We can’t see Christ but we can experience his love and sacrifice for us during the Eucharist. We cannot see our Guardian Angel but know they are protecting us. We may not speak in tongues, but the wisdom of the Holy Spirit guides our thoughts and interactions.

From the moment we wake up to when we lay our heads on our pillow to sleep, we should be guided by our faith. Every thought and action should reflect His love, grace and mercy. Yes, it may be just a puzzle but if we focus on faith in the smallest of things, imagine how much easier it will be when we have to tackle the hard ones!

Blessings to all!

Prayer to start your day:

Thank you Heavenly Father for waking me up today. Thank you for all the blessings in my life. Please pour the precious blood of your Son, Jesus Christ over me, my family and friends to protect us as we go throughout the day. Please help me to avoid sin and remain focused on You. May the Holy Spirit be my guide in all of my interactions. May my faith be strengthened when a door closes and may I be patient while waiting on your perfect plan for me. I love you and look forward to the day. Thank you. Amen.

This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad!

Psalm 118:24

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Hey Jesus, I’ll be in the neighborhood. OK to stop by?

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Anyone who has kids understands the difficulty in finding one-on-one time with each of them. If they’re involved in sports, band, theatre or other extracurricular activities chances are you are constantly on the go. Life gets hectic and finding time for yourself and your spouse (let alone each of the kids) can be challenging at best. As a mom of three, I know the struggle. Don’t get me wrong, I always enjoy our family time (especially now that they are grown and flown) but there is nothing like that one-on-one, focused time to stay involved and connected.

We are all children of God and just like we want to spend time with our children, God wants to spend time with us. Yes, He is always with us and we celebrate with Him during mass (family time) but like all the moms and dads out there, He craves alone time with us too.

Jesus wants to have a deep and intimate relationship with us. We can’t do that if we don’t spend quality time with Him. All relationships, even our relationship with God, needs to be nurtured and cared for. Eucharistic Adoration gives us that opportunity.

When I first started going to Adoration, I found it intimidating and a bit overwhelming. I had no idea what to do or say. How long did I need to stay? I wasn’t sure I could pray for more than 10 minutes straight. Were there certain prayers I should pray? Did I have to dress a certain way? I certainly didn’t want to look like I didn’t know what I am doing. (That my friends is pride and definitely not the right head space.)

All new things come with a certain level of uneasiness but the more you do them, the more comfortable you become. Trust me when I say I was totally overthinking this! Now I pop in to see Jesus 2 – 3 times a week 😊

Adoration is not going to look the same for everyone. We all have different things going on in our lives with unique situations. God meets each of us exactly where we are and we are all in a distinctive place in our faith journey.

For some, it’ll be a quick prayer of thanksgiving or a request for a special intention. For some there may be a sense of despair or a feeling of helplessness. For others, it’s a time to say the rosary, read the Bible or even write what can’t be said. And still others, it is simply a time of quiet reflection and reconciliation; a way to reset and ground oneself. There is no specific amount of time to spend and no right or wrong way to adore.

For those new to Adoration, expect the unexpected. Tears may fall. Transformations can happen. Pains and fears can become bearable and find purpose. Mindsets can be shifted and weights can be lifted. Answers can be found and doors can be opened. Clear your mind, open your heart and let God lead the way.

What started as an uncertain activity is now one of my favorite parts of the week! Are you ready to get closer to Christ?

Hope to see you there!

See the link below for the perpetual adoration chapels which are part of the Harrisburg Diocese:

https://www.hbgdiocese.org/liturgy-worship-and-prayer/eucharistic-adoration/

Below is the link for adoration sites in the Archdiocese of Baltimore:

https://www.archbalt.org/aob-eucharistic-revival/adoration-sites/

Thank you Fr. John for expanding Adoration at St. Mary of the Assumption (Pylesville, MD).

Faith-based, Lent 2025, Uncategorized

Lent 2025: Shh … Quiet!

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Retirement has its privileges. My allergies flared up today so I decided to soak in a hot bath this afternoon. I added some ashwagandha epsom salt, closed my eyes and focused on the silence. As you’ll read, silence was becoming a theme this week.

Daylight savings time always messes with me. I need my natural vitamin D so having the extra light in the evening literally makes me happy but it wreaks havoc with my sleep patterns. I woke up early on Sunday but after about an hour I felt really tired again. I laid back down with the intention of getting up at 11:00 a.m. Well, 11 came and 11 went. It was 11:30 a.m. when I checked my phone and mass was at 12:15 p.m. Needed to kick things into high gear!

Fortunately, I didn’t have to wash my hair. Up in a pony tail it went. I hurried through a shower, raced to get dressed and “pretty” myself and ran out the door. Amazing how fast one can move when they’re motivated! Shout out to all the moms with kids who make it to mass each week! Miracles do happen! Hurdle #1 cleared.

As I was quickly leaving the bathroom, I jammed my finger and cracked a nail. Sooo, I had to stop, turn around and quickly file it. Hurdle #2. I went to grab my sweater from the closet (and of course it got hooked on something). Really? I was so frustrated and started fussing at God. I AM TRYING TO GET TO MASS. Hurdle #3. As an aside, I’m confident God was keeping me out of trouble with those small delays BUT that didn’t ease my frustration at the time. I did apologize 🙂 Amazingly, we got to mass just as the priest, deacon and sacristans were getting ready to walk down the aisle. Phew!

It was a quiet mass. For those thinking isn’t mass already quiet? It is but in a quiet mass, there is no music. Antiphons are spoken as is the responsorial psalm and a Glory Be was said at the end of mass. After the ordeal to get there, I relished the thought of quiet. There is a certain reverence; a unique feeling of connection. Deep breath in, breath out. Clearing my mind so I can hear God.

How apropos the second reading at mass was about the 40 days Jesus spent in the desert battling temptation after temptation from Satan. If we really use Lent to get closer to God, do we really think it will be easy? Not a chance. And would it surprise anyone if I said Deacon Brian’s homily was about spiritual warfare? Nope.

Ever feel like the sermon was written just for you? My mind started racing and I could see the puzzle pieces starting to fall into place. A few weeks earlier, one of my friend groups was shaken to its core. I knew at the time our friendships would be reshaped but the real question weighing heavily on my mind was would they survive? Would we be able to push through this? Were we just too different? I had been praying intently about it since it happened and today I got my answer.

We are an eclectic group. We are at different stages of our lives, have had different faith journeys and have opposing political views. The involvement in our parish varies, as does our degrees of creativity and the issues we are passionate about. And today (without any announcement or coordination) four of us showed up at this particular mass. This mass that was just added for Lent. We were all sitting on the SAME side of the church which was a profound visual moment for me. Despite all our differences, the common thread was our Catholic faith.

We’ve celebrated marriages, births, birthdays, sacraments, graduations and holidays. We’ve grieved deaths, severed relationships and what might have been. We’ve supported each other through medical diagnoses, emotional crises and life’s curveballs and challenges. We’ve laughed. We’ve cried. We’ve prayed. We met because we were sisters in Christ and connected on a deeper level.

I have no doubt this was spiritual warfare and we could have easily fallen into the trap. But I don’t believe in coincidences. Everything happens for a reason and while I may not understand it all at the time, I have to trust God implicitly. I believe in God’s providence, Our Lady’s intercession and the Holy Spirit always being at work! Thank you for the answered prayers!

Sending hugs, love and prayers! I love you my sisters!

Faith-based, Uncategorized

Lent 2025: My first roadblock.

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I must have exhausted my creative genius on Wednesday because I spent all day yesterday trying to write and came up with nothing. I prayed. I cranked the K-Love Christian tunes and even cleaned the bathroom looking for inspiration. Nada. The well was dry. One day into Lent and I was already struggling. That’s definitely not good! So I put it down, went to bed and woke up with a fresh new perspective. Sleep is good!

I’m not gonna lie. I was extremely disappointed in myself because I set the goal to write a reflection every day during Lent but just couldn’t force it. I so wanted this Lent to be fruitful. I wanted to stay true to my commitments. I wanted to fulfill my goals. So, is all lost because of a missed blog? Absolutely not!

Maybe I was just trying too hard. Maybe because of the noise I was creating, I couldn’t hear what God was telling me. Maybe just, just maybe, I was missing the point. It’s a 40-day journey that needs to be walked and experienced to get to the end. It’s not supposed to be easy. There will be ups and downs; just like life. Some days will be great and others not so much. Don’t force it. Be patient. Pray. Lean on God. Don’t lose perspective.

Today I woke up to an absolutely beautiful sunrise. I went out on the front porch with my tea to just take in the morning. The birds were singing and you could feel Spring creeping closer. There was a chill in the air but in that moment, it wasn’t the cold I notice but the beauty around me. Then I turned around and there it was staring back at me: the Merry Christmas door mat. Looks like I forgot something when I put the Christmas decorations away. Oops!

But then I started thinking. Without Christmas, there would be no Jesus. With no Jesus, there would be no Lent, no Easter, no Resurrection and no salvation. Just think about that for a minute! Christmas brings joy, hope and celebration but shouldn’t Easter do the same? Yes, there is pain, suffering and sacrifice before we get there but oh when we do.

Let’s embrace Lent with all its highs and lows. Stumble. Fall. Get back up. Just don’t give up. Christ didn’t!

Faith-based, Uncategorized

Lent: A time for fasting but it’s not just limited to food and drink.

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It’s Ash Wednesday and we’re starting another Lenten season; a time for reflection, a time of prayer, a time of fasting and a time of giving. Not everyone’s Lent will look the same. Yes, as Catholics, we are required to give up meat on Ash Wednesday and Fridays during Lent, but the sacrifices we make and the activities we participate in will be influenced by where we are spiritually, physically and emotionally. There isn’t a right or wrong answer to “what will you be doing for Lent”.

Some folks will be blessed with an incredible Lenten experience. Others will struggle to just get through (that was me last year) and still others will have their ups and downs. Don’t be disheartened if things don’t go as you had hoped. Give it to God in prayer. Reflect on His grace and blessings and how to get closer to him. God will meet you where you are. He wants you to grow in His love and mercy. We are given this time to prepare our hearts, souls and minds for the Resurrection of His Son on Easter Sunday.

Fasting

Fasting is typically associated with food or drink. Over the years, that’s the route I took for Lent. I’ve given up soda, meat, potato chips and sweets. At the time, they were staples in my diet so it made sense. Had I only had them on occasion, would it really have been a sacrifice?

Several years ago, I started to look at fasting in a different way. I moved away from “physical” fasting to fasting that provided a more intrinsic value. This year, I am giving up social media and significantly reducing my screen time. The time will be spent resurrecting my blog “Traveling in Faith” (to share my Lenten journey), completing a 1000 piece puzzle of the “The Last Supper” (while reflecting on the Lord’s sacrifice) and visiting several Shrines, Basilicas and churches. It is a jubilee year (with a call to renew ourselves as “Pilgrims of Hope”) what better time to go. No, it’s not Rome or the Holy Land, but we have many beautiful and inspirational sites right here in our area. See the Pilgrimage Sites (USCCB) designated by the USCCB.

With all the chaos in the world, now is the perfect time to refocus and recenter. My mind is tired, clouded and crowded. It needs some quiet time and truthfully, so do I. I have quite a bit to think about: How can I be an answer to someone’s prayer? How can I become closer to God? How am I being called to serve? Am I treating others with the same grace and dignity God provides to me? Do others see Christ in me? Am I grateful for all of the gifts God has given me?

So, what are things outside of food and drink we can fast from?

Social media, video games, binge watching Netflix, buying things you really don’t need, going out to eat on a regular basis, commenting negatively, cruelly or insensitively on social media posts, gossiping or worrying. Challenge yourself to think outside the box. Instead, listen to an inspirational audiobook, a Catholic podcast (e.g. Bible in a Year or Rosary in a Year), subscribe to the Hallow prayer app (there’s currently a free 90 day trial), change your Sirius XM station to the Catholic channel (129) or a Christian music station.

Go to daily mass if this isn’t something you currently do. Many parishes have Lenten missions this time of year, attend and be open to the possibilities. Attend stations of the cross or walk the outdoor stations at a nearby church. Reflect on Jesus’ sacrifice. We all have crosses. Who is helping to carry your cross? When we’ve fallen, have we gotten back up? Remember, Jesus fell three times and we will too. Who can you be a Veronica to? When have you unjustly judged someone?

We are all called to be Saints! And there are patron saints for just about anything you can think of :); gas station workers, the internet, fear of wasps. Learn about a saint you are unfamiliar with. Check out the calendar of saints below to see whose feast day it is. Reflect on their life and what you can do to live a more saintly one.

https://www.catholic.org/saints/sofd.php

http://www.easterbrooks.com/personal/cal_v2/index.php

Make an effort to fill your time (and yourself) with positive, inspirational and thought provoking content.

Prayer

Prayer should already be a regular part of our day so when Lent comes around it’s about expanding that prayer. While there are a series of traditional prayers we have all learned and memorized, prayer doesn’t have to be that formal all the time.

You can pray virtually anywhere! (Carol C. Moore – 2020)

You can pray in a car or in a bed

Out loud or in your head

In the dark or at a park

At a church or swinging from a birch

In a group or on a stoop

In a boat or with a goat

In a house or out an about

By yourself or with someone else

With a rosary or your family

You can pray here or you can pray there,

You can pray virtually anywhere!

During Lent, challenge yourself in how, what, when, where and who you pray for.

Pray for your enemies and those who don’t believe the same as you. Reflect on how much Jesus loves them. Don’t pray for them to change how or what they think or that they will come around to believe the same as you. Pray they will hear the Lord’s words, will be guided by his grace and that you will be open to different points of view. Remember, we are all created in His likeness and image. God loves them as much as he loves you!

Take a walk, notice the simple things: the song of a bird, the warmth of the sun, the sound of the rippling water in the creek, the view of a beautiful sunset. Enjoy the nature and all of God’s creation. Thank God for the beautiful day and for always being there to listen.

Pray an intentional rosary. Yes, all rosary prayers should be intentional, but think of a specific intention for each of the 50 beads of the decades. Don’t think you can come up with 50 things to pray about? Then start with a specific intention per decade/mystery and work your way up.

Go to adoration and spend time with the Lord. It doesn’t have to be an hour. It can be a quick hello, thank you or I need your help. Start small and work your way up! Just sit. Embrace the quiet. Allow your ears to be open to the what God is telling you. This is your one-on-time with your Father. Take advantage of it!

I’m including the link here to perpetual adoration chapels which are part of the Harrisburg Diocese:

https://www.hbgdiocese.org/liturgy-worship-and-prayer/eucharistic-adoration/

And the link below for adoration sites in the Archdiocese of Baltimore:

https://www.archbalt.org/aob-eucharistic-revival/adoration-sites/

Start a prayer journal or create a prayer jar. Write down the things you’ve prayed about. Note the prayers that were answered. At the end of Lent, review it. We all have so much to be grateful for. Reflect on those things that weren’t answered the way you wanted. What were the blessings from that?

Lay a flower at the foot of Our Lady. Thank her for saying “yes” to God and for the gift of her Son. Thank her for being such an amazing role model and loving mother.

Pick a person each day. Offer your thoughts, actions and prayers for them throughout the day.

Start every day with gratitude. Thank you Lord for waking me up this morning. Thank you for blessing me more than I deserve. Help me to be the best version of myself today and may others see me as your child. Use me, a humble sinner for Your good.

Giving

If you are giving up something for Lent that you can quantify (i.e. going to Starbucks everyday and knowing the price of that macchiato) save that money and give it to a charity or a family in need. The same could be done But giving doesn’t necessarily have to be monetary.

Spend time decluttering or cleaning out a closet, cabinet or basement. Donate any unused items to a homeless shelter, women’s home or other charity.

Give your time and talents. Volunteer at your parish or in your local community. Do something for someone else (outside of your immediate circle). Write a letter or send a message or email each day telling someone how much they mean to you and how grateful you are they are a part of your life.Call someone you don’t talk to on a regular basis.

I have a rough plan for how I will be spending my Lent (yes, I am a type “A”) and hope to share a reflection for each of the 40 days. I will be praying for all of you and hope that you will be part of this transformational journey. Please share what you are doing for Lent. It may be just the inspiration someone else needs (including myself)!

Now off to get ashes and then to Adoration. If you have any intentions, please feel free to share and I will take them the next time I go to mass, adoration or pilgrimage sites.

Have a blessed day and a reflective and fruitful Lent!

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Coronavirus: Reflecting on my Vision for 2020

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In January my friends and I got together to make vision boards for 2020.  I bought colorful poster board, pulled together some old magazines, located the scissors that were scattered about the house and cleaned off the kitchen table.   Since I was hosting, my friends brought snacks, adult beverages and glue sticks.  It was an evening of fellowship, laughter, reflection and discussion of the hopes we had for the year.

Strengthening our faith, discovering our passions, exploring new things and exercising were the underlying themes.  At the end of evening, we agreed we would be there to support each other.  During our monthly get togethers we would talk about what we’ve accomplished and give encouragement when things didn’t go as planned.  Turns out there is much that has not gone as planned.  A stark reminder that we indeed are not in control.

My board stays in the dining room and truthfully, I hadn’t thought about it too much in the midst of this crisis.  My golden retriever, Bella, was by the window barking with urgency so I went to see what the problem was. Nothing.  Absolutely nothing (but that’s nothing new).  As I bopped her on her head and shook mine, I caught a glimpse of my vision board.  I stopped to look at it.  2020 certainly hadn’t started as I had hoped but what I didn’t realize was how prophetic my vision board actually was.

As I scanned the board things started jumping out at me:  “God’s Plan”,  “Celebrate God’s Goodness”, “One for the Books”, “Grow”, “Simple Pleasures” and “Make 2020 the Year”.  Talk about being hit by a ton of bricks.  What was I thinking??  It certainly got my attention.  And isn’t it true that it often takes something big to get our attention?  The Holy Spirit is ALWAYS at work and this was no different.  A wave of emotions came crashing over me that I wasn’t prepared for.  I cried.  I needed to cry.  I had so many pent-up feelings and could tell I was starting to become like Alice.  The rabbit hole was calling and it’s just not a place I wanted go.  It was time to let go.

My 2020 Vision Board

During this time of uncertainty we should focus on the things that make us smile;  things that strengthen our faith.  Have you noticed all the trees that are flowering?  The colors and scents seem more vibrant this year.  Have you taken in the scent of the manure? The farmers are still preparing for the planting season.  Have you read the heart-warming stories of how others are helping during these difficult times?  People are donating meals, blood and protective equipment.  Companies are opening their products and services for free.  People are responding to the call.

Sometimes I think we forget God is everywhere.  While we are missing the mass, the sacraments and traditions of the church, we still have community and prayer.   Community and fellowship look a little different but it’s still here.  And one thing that can always do is pray. 

Cape Henlopen, DE

You can pray:

In a car or in a bed

Out loud or in your head

In the dark or in a park

At church or hanging from a birch

In a group or on a stoop

In a boat or with a goat

By yourself or with someone else

With a rosary or with family.

You can pray here or you can pray there.

You can pray virtually anywhere.

As we continue to prayer, let’s pray for each other, our friends and family, our enemies, our first responders, our healthcare workers, our nation, state and local leaders, the sick, the souls in purgatory, the unemployed, our religious, the Pope, the souls of those who have died and the families who can’t properly lay their loved ones to rest.

Pray for the grocery employees stocking and sanitizing shelves, the food service employees cooking, taking and filling orders and those manning the gas stations, rest stops and convenience stores. Pray for our truckers who are hauling across our great country transporting the essentials.

Pray for our churches who are trying to bring us services during this holiest of times. Pray for all parents who are working at home and playing teacher at the same time. Pray for our teachers and students who now learn on-line. Pray for our students who are missing key milestones like graduation, SATs, sports seasons, musical and prom.

Pray for the lonely and the elderly who can’t have visitors. Pray for expectant mothers and their unborn babies. Pray for those fighting addictions or anxiety. Pray for truth from those reporting the news. Pray for the strength of marriages and relationships. Pray for our trash collectors and mail carriers. Pray for healing and forgiveness. And pray for anyone I may have missed, anyone who asks and anyone needing protection.

Pray with purpose.  Pray with resolve. And pray knowing our Heavenly Father and our Blessed Mother with all the angels and saints are holding us tight and listening.

From left to right: Our Lady of Guadalupe, St. Rita’s Shrine (Philadelphia, PA) , St. Lucy’s (Newark, NJ), Our Lady in my garden.

As for me and my board, I’ve already decided next year’s vision board will include winning Powerball and having enough toilet paper 😉

Lifting all of you in prayer and sending love and virtual hugs.

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Lent – A reflection on the coronavirus

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I normally write about my travel adventures but with the coronavirus barreling down, I don’t think I will be headed anywhere exciting (at least not in the near future).  That said, I was inspired this morning by the smell of spring in the air.  As I sat at my kitchen table and watched the birds playing in the yard, there were no thoughts of the virus, or anything else for that matter.  

I was focused of the robin playing hard to get as she hopped from branch to branch in the sycamore tree and the bluejay flitting about searching for food.  The tree swallows were doing their mating dance and looked like small dust devils as they twirled in the sky.  The doves were cooing and a cardinal was perched on fence singing a song.   The robins and the mockingbirds were collecting twigs, grass and dried leaves for their nests, while the house sparrows popped in an out of the bird box.  A pair of goldfinches were enjoying the remaining thistle seeds from the coneflowers I never cut down in the fall.  There were white, wispy clouds scattered in the beautiful blue sky and a crispness in the air.  The birds were going about their normal activities oblivious to the chaos in the world.  And for those few moments, I was too.

I wish I could say I’m not concerned but the truth is, I am.  I have an auto-immune disease (as does my daughter) so we need to be extra careful.  It’s not the virus itself that scares me but the financial impact.  Like many Americans, we have kids in college, a mortgage, car payments and medical expenses.  As retirement creeps closer, it’s definitely unsettling to see your 401-k/IRA shrinking with the uncertainty in the markets and the outcome of this crisis.  The unknown can be scary.

In general, I am a relatively positive person.  I try hard not to get caught up in the small stuff;  and truthfully, most of what happens in life is small stuff.   Difficut at times?  Yes.  Disappointments?  Yep.  Curve balls?  Those too!  But if we take a step back and truly reflect, we are blessed.   Will we be challenged over the course of the next few months?  Absolutely! Probably in ways we haven’t even thought.  But with all challenges comes strength and growth.  We will forever be changed but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing.

I find it quite apropos COVID-19 hit the US during Lent.  Lent, a time of reflection, repentance and renewal; a time of fasting and abstinence.  This outbreak is forcing us to give up many things that we have grown to enjoy:  eating out, enjoying a latte, watching March Madness, attending a sporting event or concert, planning play dates with our kids, reading at the library or going to the Fish Fry followed by the Stations of the Cross.

There is a lesson for all of us in this chaos.  Maybe we need to slow down.  Maybe we need to focus more on our families.  Maybe we need to take a hard look at our priorities.  Maybe we need to work on our relationship with the Lord.  Whatever it is, I pray all of us use the additional time we have for good.  Good for others and just as important, good for ourselves.  Have you always wanted to learn how to knit?   Did you ever finish the book you picked up six months ago?  Is there a Saint you’ve always wanted to learn about?  Is there a recipe that you’ve always wanted to try?  Have you wanted to learn a new language?   Have you wanted to teach your kids how to do laundry?  Have you wanted to organize all your pictures?  Is there a closet that needs reorganizing?   Are there toys or clothes that could be donated?   Have your always wanted to pray an intentional rosary?   Do you have a garden tub that never gets used? Do you you need start exercising? If you pray for guidance and open your mind to the possibilities, they are expansive. 

Prior to the virus, our nation was polarized by the political climate and battle between “the left” and “the right”.  The reality is this virus doesn’t care if you are a Democrat or a Republican.  It doesn’t care what color your skin is or what your social status is.  It doesn’t discriminate by pay grade or believe system.  We are all vulnerable. 

Let’s pray that as things unfold with the virus, the focus shifts from anger, division and animosity to compassion, kindness and tolerance.  If we look back through history, we’ve seen this time and time again.  Take a look at what happened after 9-11 or Hurricane Katrina.  We came together as a nation. We cried.  We comforted.  We provided.  We helped.  We prayed.  We are resilient and we will survive. Where we will shine is in how we handle the situation.  At a time like this we need to challenge ourselves to look at who we really are.  For me, I am a child of God and I am choosing to be a blessing to all those I meet. 

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Curacao

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A Safe Haven in the Storm

As I sat at breakfast watching the ship dock, I was amazed at the strength and power of the pilot boat as she guided the ship into the harbor and worked tirelessly taking the ropes from the ship to the shore so the ship could be tethered. One rope at a time. It was a slow and methodical process but it was done with precision and mastery. This boat, while small compared to the massive ship, had a critical job in safely navigating the ship and securely anchoring her to the dock.

A pilot boat doing her job in Antigua’s harbor. Yes, Antigua! I was so enthralled watching the little boat in Curacao, I didn’t take a picture!

While her job is extremely important, she doesn’t get much recognition.  She looks rather ordinary, is much smaller and dirtier than the cruise ships, and looks tired and worn from the heat and being thrown about during the storms. But day after day, she comes back to proudly do her job. 

As a mom, the analogy of the pilot boat truly hit home.  I’ve always said it is the most difficult and challenging job I will ever have but by far the most rewarding and important.   Like most moms, I’ve garnered my share of scars and dirt over the years.  There are many days I too look tired and worn trying to keep things organized, working full-time, attending sporting events, running errands and taking care of the house, my husband and the pups.  Yes, there are days when I just want to sleep in.  Yes, there are days when I just want to cry.  But, each day I get up and do what I’m called to do.

Isn’t this true of most of us?  Regardless of our calling, we can be taken for granted, we are often unrecognized and many times not appreciated.  But if we didn’t get up each day and perform our job, we would be letting down those who are depending on us.

Lock Your Love on the “Punda Love Heart” by Carlos Blaaker.

God gifted each of us uniquely.  Whether you are a parent or guardian guiding and protecting a children, or a physician counseling and caring for patients, or a farmer tending to his crops or herds, or a violinist playing in an orchestra, or a waitress courteously serving her patrons, or a custodian keeping a venue clean, or a priest leading his congregation, we all have a role to play.

We’re not expected to look or perform perfectly.  We will not always be on our “A” game but if we perform our duties with love, grace and humility, we will stay secure in God’s love and anchored in our faith.

The theme of security and anchoring would surface again during our tour of the island.  Curacao just happens to be outside of the hurricane belt and the “rich and famous” bring their yachts to these harbors to avoid impending storms. Curacao provides them a safe haven. The seas may get rough and the winds may swirl but there is peace and a certain calm knowing their precious boats are safe.

The safe harbours of Curacao.

Isn’t this what God does for us? No matter what is going on in our lives, He is there to love and protect us.  We will weather many storms throughout our lives but if we keep close to our Heavenly Father and heed the guidance of the Holy Spirit, we will come out stronger, more humble and with a more grateful spirit.

The Queen Emma Floating Pontoon Bridge in Willemstad, Curacao.

Some friends we met along the way!

  • Yellow-breasted Chat
  • Elephant in our cabin
  • Oriole
  • Iguana basking in the sun!
  • Iguana enjoying the bougainvillea.

Some of the other sights of Curacao

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St. Lucia – Island of Healing and Grace

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In celebration of our 25th wedding anniversary we took a cruise to the Southern Caribbean.  One of our stops was the beautiful island of St. Lucia.  I had woken early that morning and gone out on the balcony to see the sunrise and watch the ship dock.  There is something calming about the sea air blowing through your hair and the water gently lapping against the ship.  It was a cloudy morning and you could smell the rain from the passing storms.  As I looked out over the horizon I could see the sun trying to peek through the clouds.  It wasn’t a spectacular sunrise but it was the start of new day and another adventure.  I’d never been here before and was ready to start exploring.

A church we passed on our way to Soufriere . A comforting message in the midst of challenging circumstances.

We disembarked and as we were walking to our bus, my phone started buzzing.  I didn’t have cell service on the ship so it wasn’t unusual for there to be a message or two waiting for me when I got back on land.  I ignored it at first, but it continued to buzz; one after another after another.  Once I got settled, I took a look at my phone and one of my group chats had exploded.  I quickly scrolled through the messages and as I scanned them, I could feel the anxiety building … rides to the airport, late night phone calls, coordinating animal care.   It seemed to take forever to get to what started the flurry of activity:  my dear friend’s daughter was contemplating taking her life  As I read the words, I gasped.  My eyes welled up. I was in disbelief. How could all this be happening when I was miles from home?  How could I not be there for my friend?  This was a friend who would drop anything for me.   I quickly messaged her to let her know how sorry I was and that I was sending virtual hugs, love and prayers.   It was all so surreal but God was already at work.

A simple white cross on top of the cliff. God’s way of letting me know everything was going to be OK.

My mind was still swirling as the bus made its first stop at a quaint fishing village. As we pulled in, the heavens opened up. How apropos that as tears were streaming down my face, the rain fell.  It only lasted about 5 minutes and then the skies started to clear. I walked out onto the beach and just stood there as the warmth of the sun embraced me.  I scanned the sky-line and noticed a cliff that jutted out into the clear, turquoise waters.  As I followed its outline up toward the sky, I noticed a simple white cross sitting at the top.  As I stared at the cross and prayed for my friend and her daughter, a feeling of calm and peace blanketed me.  While my heart was heavy, at that moment, I knew God was in control. 

As I headed back to the bus to head off to Soufriere and Diamond Estate, it was clear that my job today was to pray.  I was exactly where I was supposed to be. As I strolled through the botanical gardens toward the waterfall, I made a point to stop and take notice of the little things:  the spirals of the stems on the plants, the fungus growing on the bark of the tree, the unique shapes and colors of the flowers.  My senses were heightened;  there was much to be grateful for.

At dinner that evening a woman who looked to be around my age joined our table.  The cruise was full of groups of friends, couples and families so it struck me as odd that she was by herself.  She was beautiful and well put together.  Her make-up and hair were perfect.  Her clothing was trendy.  In my eyes, she was in a different league.  Self-doubt poured in and I started to question my dress choice and the decision to let my hair dry naturally and not blow it out.  It had been an emotional day and I was feeling insecure. 

We struck up a conversation and as it turns out, we were two woman who had much to share and more in common than either of us realized.  It turns out she also had a teenage daughter.  We talked about the eye rolls, the attitudes and how their mood could change in a matter of seconds.  We also talked about how warm and loving they could be.  This led to me sharing about the news of my friend’s daughter.  Having lost a dear family friend to suicide when I was in college, the magnitude of what had happened started to set in.  All the emotions and memories came flooding back:  the guilt, the anger, the hurt.   It turns out that “this” was something else we had in common.  She had lost her mother to suicide a year earlier.  We cried.  We shared. We healed. 

The Holy Spirit was present at our table that evening.  And while we knew that we wouldn’t travel in the same circles or become the best of friends, what happened that evening was something special and when we reflected on our cruise we would silently smile and be grateful for the grace of God’s healing power.

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Philadelphia – City of Brotherly Love

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Philadelphia is only two hours from our home and we have visited many times.  Philadelphia has so much to offer with its variety of dining options, cultural diversity, stellar medical facilities, excellent educational institutions and pathways through history.  We’ve taken in the aromas of the at the Reading Terminal Market and Chinatown, seen the historical sites of the Liberty Bell , Independence Hall and Betsy Ross’ house, visited the Academy of Natural Sciences, the famous “Rocky” steps of the Philadelphia Museum of Art and the Franklin Mint.  I’ve admired the beauty and creativity of the famous Philadelphia Flower Show, wandered the exhibits at the zoo and attended mass at the Basilica of Saints Peter and Paul.  I have fond memories of times spent in Philadelphia.

In 2018 our travels took us to Philadelphia several times and what would normally was cause for a smile, caused reflection and stirred gratitude for the gifts it provided.  In March 2018, we attended the Northeast Qualifier club volleyball tournament with our daughter.  At the time, my husband’s father was in failing health.  He suffered from Parkinson’s disease and his time here with us was coming to a close.  As we were getting ready to head over to the Convention Center for our daughter’s first match, my husband got the call from his mother that he needed to get home;  the time had come.  My husband drove to his family home in New Jersey and made it in time to say “good-bye” to his Dad.  Our hearts were heavy but God works in mysterious ways. Had we been at our home, and not in Philly, my husband probably wouldn’t have made it in time. This was a blessing.   

Sadly, my father-in-law never got to see our daughter play volleyball but we know he had a front row seat that day and was smiling down on her.  She played with purpose and was a light on the court.  The adversity fueled her spirit and she showed what she was made of.  Her teammates, the parents and the coaches rallied around us.  They held us as we cried.  They listened when we needed to talk.  They prayed for us.  Philadelphia, the city of brotherly love truly did live up to its name.  

In July we were back in Philadelphia at the Children’s Hospital of Philadelphia (CHoP) where our daughter had surgery to remove her thyroid.   What an amazing facility!  They take special care to cater to the smallest of visitors and their parents.   Whether it was the brightly colored murals and hanging sculptures, the pre-recorded children’s voices announcing the floors on the elevator or the garden and play areas, it was designed with purpose.  

During our daughter’s surgery, we went to the chapel to pray.  It was beautiful and embraced all faiths.  It was peaceful and calming.  In the corner was a statue of a mother holding her child.  How apropos.  How many mother’s had come through these doors to pray for healing for their child? How many mother’s had to tell their child they were sick?  In the grand scheme of things, what our daughter had was benign.  

After our visit to the chapel, we took a walk outside to get some fresh air.  We weren’t familiar with this part of the city but happened to stumble upon a hidden treasure;  a garden on the campus of the University of Pennsylvania.  The loud sounds from the surrounding construction sites, the honking of horns from the constant stream of traffic and the feverish pace of folks going from one place to another all stopped. The sounds of the trickling water and the chirping birds along with the beauty of flowers provided a calmness in the midst of the surrounding city chaos.  The surgery was a success.  The care team was amazing and this child that is often full of anxiety was calm and reassured.  She shared with me after the surgery that when she woke on the morning of her surgery that the sun shone into her room like it had never done before.  She said she knew she would be OK.  The Holy Spirit was indeed at work and again we were blessed. 

  • God’s presence was even evident in the construction. Do you see the heart?

In August we were back in Philadelphia but this time at the Hospital of the University of Pennsylvania (HUP) where I had surgery to remove my thyroid.  No, this was not planned.  It was sudden and unexpected, but a necessity as I was diagnosed with thyroid cancer.  As I entered the U Penn facility for appointments with doctors and surgeons and pre-op testing, the sight of CHoP across the street gave me great comfort.   I smiled and gave thanks.  How blessed we are to live so close to such great doctors, surgeons and medical facilities.

While my surgery was successful, I had hoped that my recovery would be as smooth as my daughter’s but that wasn’t meant to be.   My blood pressure spiked, I had an allergic reaction to one of the pain medications, vomited numerous times and had a panic attack or two along the way.  It wasn’t pretty.  I cannot say enough about my surgeon and my entire care team;  this includes my husband.   They were compassionate, gentle and comforting.  The times when I was at my ugliest, they chose to see a woman who was hurting and needed their care.   I am grateful for the care I received and for God’s wisdom in allowing me to suffer and not my daughter. 

In August, our daughter started her freshman year of college. She is our youngest and this left me and my husband with an empty nest. It had been a topic of discussion among my friends who were very much looking forward to “having me back” now that my day-to-day “mom” duties were no longer required. When they asked me how I felt about it, the one thing that weighed on me was the relationship with my husband. I knew it was going to change but I didn’t know exactly how. I worried that we would run out of things to talk about and that we would get bored with the new normal and possibly with each other. I prayed that we would be able to transition into this new phase with a rekindling of our love and respect as husband and wife and not as parents. My illness, its timing, the challenges with my recovery and the return of our kids to school were all instrumental in shifting our focus back to us. God’s hand was at work and I know we will be just fine!

Thank you Philadelphia not only for the memories but for the blessings that came along with them!