Sometimes an interesting picture appears before my eyes and I just need to stop and photograph it. ;)
It was a busy week. Family coming and going and cantor duties at church had every minute of my time filled. Gratefully, I received help and guidance from kind people all week. It's funny how I've spent years in Catholic school, attended Mass countless times, and sung at plenty of weddings and funerals but was never actually cantor before. There was a lot to remember and learn, but I believe it went well. Everyone who shared their time and experience with me is GREATLY appreciated. It's a wonderful feeling to be surrounded by the good-hearted nature of others. My sincere thanks...
Here's wishing everyone a beautiful week and a very Happy Easter and Passover!
Letting go of that which no longer serves us can sadden the heart. It was the case for me this week as I changed the direction of some of my plans for my new album and myself. I know new plans will fill in the spaces left by the undoing of old ideas. Confirmation was everywhere.
Church was perfect. The priest spoke of how a seed must die and fall to the ground before it can grow and produce fruit. He talked about allowing old ways to die - like anger, pride and the like. He made an example of John Newton, the author of the hymn "Amazing Grace." John was in the Atlantic slave trade before his spiritual conversion in 1748 when he encountered a violent storm and "called out to God for mercy." (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Amazing_Grace) The priest continued speaking about the newness that would spring forth and the beauty of the new path that would unfold when we let go of old ways. I had already seen some positive effects of being on my new path.
After the service, Zach and I met a woman who gave me a direct message to treasure every moment with him. She had lost her daughter in a tragic accident. We both hugged her before heading out to the monument to Our Lady of Lourdes. I stood in front of that very statue and prayed for Zachary's safe arrival before he came - and I was granted the miracle of life. There we both were, standing in that same spot together. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Our_Lady_of_Lourdes
After a couple of errands, we went back home for lunch and nap time. As he was drifting off to sleep in my arms, Amazing Grace started playing on the station set up in his room.
Early in the week I found myself aggravated with someone. For a day or so, it dominated my thoughts, until finally I was able to focus on other things. #redirect
SPRING IS ALMOST HERE!!!
So we enjoyed some snow...
had a birthday...
made a trip to the toy store...
had a tunn-el fun...
and I tried my hand at beef stew... (not bad BTW).
The lights went out in church. I had just finished saying a private intention for myself when the power flickered, then went out completely.
The organist moved to the piano, someone jumped in with their phone as a flashlight so she could see the music and someone else whispered to the cantor to sing out because there wouldn't be a microphone. As "Hosanna In the Highest" hit its crescendo, the lights came back on.
As I pondered the significance of the "sign" for myself, I looked around the room and realized that there were probably at least one hundred other interpretations as well. When the priest spoke again, he mused that it was another example of "Let there be light."
Here's wishing we all find what we're looking for this week. Don't forget Daylight Saving Time! #MoreLight #SpringAhead
