May the Souls of the Faithful

Mr. H went home last Friday. His funeral was Monday. It was a testimony to a life well lived and a death well anticipated. He was prepared. He was ready. So was his family. That's not to say that they're happy he's gone. Maybe a little bit for his sake, but they miss him. But this is a story of hope, of knowing where he is gone to. This family truly believes and there's no despair. But there is sadness. This man lived for his family. He was married to his best friend for 52 years. Together they had 7 children and 26 grandchildren. These children have a wonderful role model to follow.

He was a shy man and I didn't really know him that well. But I know his example. I have watched the loving way in which he and his wife have served quietly and well. How generous he was and how this family has warmly drawn me to them time and time again. And it's what I want for my family. It's not what we have, but it is something to aspire to. And that is why God gives us the saints and saintly around us. To know good and to be attracted to it. To desire it and to move towards it, always looking to perfect love, as a response to that perfect love. To know that it is possible. There is so much to meditate on. Pray for us Mr. H.

A Jonah Day

It is a gorgeous spring like day outside.  I can hear the sounds of birds bustling through their day and children building imaginary worlds, peacefully together, I might add.  My house is silent but for the sound of the dishwasher and my typing.  From my window I can see the children, the fluttering leaves from a gentle wind and the glowing reflection of the morning sun on the very green trees.  But I am in a funk.  I can feel a migraine coming on.  I know that I have tonnes of stuff to do in the house, yard and garden, but am totally disinclined to do them.  Which adds guilt.  

And at the very top of this is THE COURSE.  It looms like Snoopy pretending to be a vulture.  I am determined to go back to school.  I want a Theology degree.  But I cannot find a distance ed school in Canada that offers it.  So I have to at least start on my Humanities degree through Athabasca University.  Which is a liberal Canadian post-secondary institute.  So the courses will be flavoured by this philosophy.  And to top it off I (me, myself) signed up for the wrong course.  I hit the wrong button when ordering and am now forced to do a literary prose course, full of angry books, by authors who might be my brothers and sisters in Christ, but are not close friends.  I read/laboured through the introduction of my course last night and upon reflection, probably agreed with all of 2 sentences.  The intro alone is angry.  It is full of hate for organized religion, and "chauvinistic society" that oppresses native peoples.  There is no examination of purity of intention here and certainly no quarter given to Judasim(an attack of the Old Testament) My anxiety is how do I defend my faith but still pass?  How do I not become tainted by this anger and lack of hope?  I think ice cream might help.  Oh and lots of prayer.  St. Thomas Moore, pray for me.