Remembering lessons from the Past

This past week, I had the opportunity to remember the lessons of the past and the values they taught me.  Sometimes, we need a gentle reminder to remind us where we have been and what is important in life. 

I was at the fabric counter at Hobby Lobby on Wednesday evening waiting to make a purchase, and waiting and waiting.   The young gal in front of me was buying yards and yards of brown fleece.  A cute, quiet little girl stood next to her as the young woman excitedly told me about her recent purchase of  a very comfortable couch a the Thrift Store and her intent to recover it.  As this young mother talked, she shared that she had also found a recliner for $50 and was doing the best she could on her limited resources to provide for her three children.  She beamed with pride as she talked about her family and her provisions for them.  I shook my head and complimented her on her determination to tackle this project, since she had never recovered furniture before.  Another cashier helped me with my simple purchase and a I bid good luck to the young woman at the counter. 

As I walked to my car, it occurred to me how very much I identified with her and how much I admired her.  I remembered the struggles of single parenthood--collecting pop bottles to have enough money to buy milk for my son, garage sale clothing, deer meat or spaghettios for most meals, and bill collectors calling on a daily basis.  I sat in my car for a few minutes reflecting, remembering the importance of determination, independence and doing the best you can.  Determined to somehow "reinforce" this young woman's determination, I headed back to the store only to see her guided by store employees away from the counter, leaving her cart filled with brown fuzzy fabric behind.   

Again, I remembered the "blinking" lights at Kmart when I didn't have enough money to cover my purchases, or returning items to the checkout person to deduct from my final sale.  My heart hurt for this young woman and I raced home to pull my rainy day cash from my bookshelf in hopes of at least helping with her purchase.  Unfortunately, when I returned the beat up Ford pinto was gone from the parking lot and the filled cart was no longer standing at the cashier's counter.

I paced through the store trying to spot this brave young woman, but to no avail.  I returned twice that evening to see whether she might have returned.  I so wanted to be for her one of those people who gave me hope when I felt hopeless and confidence when I had self-doubts.  I have thought about her all week and can only find peace in knowing that she is doing the very best she can with determination and pride.  I hope she knows that, too!

May I always remember those important life lessons!!  Perhaps that was the better lesson here.

Sunday Service

I am not sure why I share this particular message today.  It has likely been said before, perhaps even by me (before the days of Catholic guilt).  I spent Saturday enjoying nature--the smell of lilacs & apple blossoms and cut grass; listening to the birds; feeling the warm sun and the 30 mph winds while I tasted barley & hops.  This morning, I sat in a beautiful cathedral, listening to an off-key organist and the mumblings of the songsters around me and thought about how much closer I felt to God yesterday!

The gift of Friendship

Just returned from the annual fantasy vacation with friends from North Dakota. We spent Friday night sitting around the hotel room until 4 am drinking beer and catching up. Yet, it seemed like only yesterday that we were sitting around the living room talking with the same enthusiasm. As I drove home on Sunday, I thought about how easily we just pick up where we left off. It occurred to me that there is no better gift than those kind of friendships. I am blessed to have found these special friendships over my years of moving and resettling! Can't wait until next year's vacation!