Mama-luia

Something terrible took place this week, a tragedy so awful, I can hardly fathom it. A friend of mine, a priest, was murdered in his rectory on Wednesday night. "Kenny" as we called him, 2005 We went to university together ten years ago and he was a great friend to me back then.  He was an exceptionally pious young man, which made him almost child-like. It was impossible not to be endeared to him, because he was so kind, so joyful and completely without pretence. He was hard-working in his studies, deeply devoted to the Mass and his prayer life, and poured so much zeal into everything he did, even moving; dear Kenny seemed to live by the motto, "why walk when you can sprint?" From our yearbook, 2004 I enjoyed our conversations immensely. Because he was such a rare mix of reverent and yet light-hearted, it was easy to open up to him about anything. I suppose that is a mark of a good priest, being warm and disarming so that souls...

This past week, we had a visitor for tea. A vibrant, warm and insightful elderly woman who really befriended me and Patrick during our engagement from our parish had asked if she could come over and get acquainted with out kids. I cleaned the night before, made sure we had some cookies in the house, reminded the boys on how to behave nicely towards her, dressed the kids in the their Sunday clothes, and in general made preparations as though we would be giving something to her . I should have known, though, that her presence would be a little ministry to us. In a very grace-filled way, she asked each of us sensitive questions and really listened to our answers. She held Anna and spoke to her not like she is just a cute little baby (which she is) but a teacher to the rest of the world. She showed that she was generally interested in the boys, and laughed at their sweet and silly stories. Noah was obviously delighted by her presence, because as we sat and talked, he quietly worked aw...

I didn't cry when my dear friend Sr. Ilaria made her final vows because I was sad. I felt many different emotions during this beautiful Mass, but sadness wasn't one of them. I suppose you could say that I was experiencing awe. She and I had been friends for many years, and much of what I am happy about in my life I owe in part to her. She was the one who suggested I look into Our Lady Seat of Wisdom Academy, a school I had never heard of at the time, when I was just plain miserable at the school where I was studying. She was the one who taught me how to pray the Rosary when I was a bratty high school student. I had been on several retreats where we prayed it, but I thought only nuns and old ladies actually prayed it daily. She was the one who suggested, gently, that I read this book after I ended an unhealthy relationship from my high school years. This book, coupled with her witness, challenged me in many ways, and was especially helpful when Patrick and I discovered ...

My heart has been heavy all day. I have been carrying the memory of two beautiful souls with me, and feeling anguish as I recalled the tragic way they left this world. My heart breaks when I remember . . . Janine's wake, when her father gave the most heart-breaking eulogy that had the entire packed-to-overflowing church sobbing uncontrollably. . . . seeing the equally packed-to-overflowing church at Paul's funeral all singing "Blessed Be the Name of the Lord". Many had their arms outstretched and many, many tears were shed. ("You give and take away, my heart will choose to say, 'Lord blessed be Your name'.") . . . the solemn faces of their classmates in complete shock the morning we found out about the tragedy . . . being home alone when I received the news they had found their bodies. . . . having Paul's parents hug me and console me at his wake. They remembered me, he had told them about me -- the funny girl from his road trip t...

One of my best friends in the world came and stayed with our little family for this past week. We didn't 'do' much. She mostly just joined in on the rhythm of the days and nights with us. Making meals. Cleaning up after said meals. Drawing endless pictures of ducks and cats to a curious toddler. Changing diapers. Folding laundry. Cuddling a cutie who is so shockingly close to two . Drinking loads of tea. Eating Cheetos because preggo wanted them. Putting away toys. Having toys dumped from the bag they were placed in. Our little life is so intimate and quiet, and even she wondered aloud if she was interrupting things, but in actual fact, she was the perfect addition to our home. Gentle. Kind. Patient. So deeply loved by me. And now Noah, who calls her "Nada." I give you, the beautiful Miss Angela: Here she is patiently writing out Noah's name over and over. Her lap became a favoured place for him to spend much time. Ever the elementary te...