Doing What is Possible
Yesterday, I was lamenting the fact that aside from our crown of thorns, our family did not observe our usual Lenten traditions this year. Our Last Supper was not displayed. Patrick and Finnian fussed most of the day. Our house was a mess. Catherine was late for her piano lesson. We ate scrambled eggs for…
Read More/A/,/B/,/C/
I have often wondered what one of my children’s pediatricians thought when he wrote the letter “B” on a piece of paper and asked 4-year-old Bernadette, “What is this letter?” I know that he was surprised when she responded, “/b/”. He automatically replied, “It’s b.” I smiled when Brendan told me that one of his…
Read MoreRemembering Il Papa
April 2, 2005, my dad phoned and quietly told me, “Pope John Paul II has died.” I remember going to Mass the next day and our pastor, Fr. Piotr Dzikowski (who had visited Pope John Paul II on numerous occasions), giving a beautiful homily, reminding us in Pope John Paul II’s own words, “Be not…
Read MoreWatch
Last night, towards the end of Mass, Patrick stood on the pew, placed one hand on my shoulder and the other on the pew. Then he whispered, “Watch!” I envisioned Patrick jumping off of the pew and so I responded, “Patrick, get down.” He repeated, “Watch!” I envisioned Patrick cutting his lip or biting his…
Read MorePoetry Friday
The Lambby William Blake Little lamb, who made thee?Dost thou know who made thee?Gave thee life, and bid thee feed,By the stream and o’er the mead;Gave thee clothing of delight,Softest clothing, woolly, bright;Gave thee such a tender voice,Making all the vales rejoice?Little lamb, who made thee?Dost thou know who made thee? Little lamb, I’ll tell…
Read MoreBoys Can Say the Sweetest Things
As I paid for some groceries at Safeway today, Patrick climbed out of the car cart, came up to me, hugged my leg, and said, “I love you, Mommy!” During dinner, I went around the table and told each child that I loved them. When I was finished, Patrick said, “And Daddy, too!” I responded,…
Read MoreBoys Can Say the Sweetest Things
As I paid for some groceries at Safeway today, Patrick climbed out of the car cart, came up to me, hugged my leg, and said, “I love you, Mommy!” During dinner, I went around the table and told each child that I loved them. When I was finished, Patrick said, “And Daddy, too!” I responded,…
Read MoreDays on the Farm
Yesterday, we went to Barnes and Noble to buy Suzanne’s recommendation. As we perused the bookshelves, Brendan spied Days on the Farm by Kim Lewis. Ever since my oldest was three, we have been checking Kim Lewis’ books out at the library. I happily took the book off the shelf. When I saw the stories…
Read More