Sometimes touching moments can come from the most unexpected day-to-day experiences.
There is a saying that everything happens in threes. I have experienced that a few times in my life. However, yesterday it truly happened in threes--touching moments that I would never have expected.
I don't like to have to go to Walmart to shop, but there aren't many other options down here now that Safeway closed. As I was going down an aisle, a darling little boy was so excited to see me. He said "hi" and I responded and asked how he was. He told me he was fine. As we passed, I heard him tell his dad--El presidente de la escuela!!! It made my day!! There have only been a few times a child has known me. And that is something I truly miss after so many years at an elementary school
Teresa and I usually go to 5:00 o'clock mass on Saturday evening. Tonight, neither of the deacons or the altar server were there. Father Gilbert was all by himself. Everything went fine, but when it came time for the Liturgy of the Eucharist, there was no one to help Father with the preparation.
As he started preparing, an elderly (and very distinguished) gentleman came forth and went up to the altar to assist. This wonderful man is almost 90 years old and suffers from the early stages of Alzheimers. He is always at 5:00 o'clock mass and is often one of the Eucharistic Ministers. It is always touching for me to see him participate, despite the fact that he has oxygen with him and has a bit of trouble getting around. I have known him all of my life. Our families' friendship goes way back and I went all through school with his children.
However, what happened last night was amazing! I am sure at one point in his life he had been an altar boy. He helped Father with the water and the wine and all of the preparation. He then went down to where the altar server sits and knelt down right on the carpet (and I can tell you I wouldn't be able to do this.) He then became the bell ringer during the consecration. After that, he went about his way and did his Eucharistic Minister duties. Just watching this tonight was so powerful. I have given him a ride home a couple of times after church. My admiration for him is immense!! I believe there was a message in what I saw tonight!
Right after I came back to Douglas last year, there was a terrible accident right after the 5:00 o'clock mass. I was up at the cabin, so I wasn't there, but Teresa was. Two ladies were crossing the street to get to their cars when a drunk driver hit them. Both of them were seriously injured. One of the ladies hit is the wife of the rancher who was killed here almost two years ago, so there was a lot of media coverage.
The other lady is elderly and she had several broken bones and was hurt quite badly. Both of them have been back in Douglas for quite some time and seem to be doing fairly well. Last night, I walked out of church with Shirley. She uses a cane and you could tell she is still in a lot of pain. However, she ALWAYS has a big smile on her face and a hug to give. We walked her to her car and chatted. She is so upbeat and positive despite everything that has happened to her. She is a beautiful lady--both on the outside and the inside. My admiration for her is also immense!
Robert Louis Stevenson said, "The best things in life are nearest: Breath in your nostrils, light in your eyes, flowers at your feet, duties at your hand, the path of right just before you. Then do not grasp at the stars, but do life's plain, common work as it comes, certain that daily duties and daily bread are the sweetest things in life."
How true that was for me todayI The simple acts of shopping and church were some of the sweetest things in life!
As he started preparing, an elderly (and very distinguished) gentleman came forth and went up to the altar to assist. This wonderful man is almost 90 years old and suffers from the early stages of Alzheimers. He is always at 5:00 o'clock mass and is often one of the Eucharistic Ministers. It is always touching for me to see him participate, despite the fact that he has oxygen with him and has a bit of trouble getting around. I have known him all of my life. Our families' friendship goes way back and I went all through school with his children.
However, what happened last night was amazing! I am sure at one point in his life he had been an altar boy. He helped Father with the water and the wine and all of the preparation. He then went down to where the altar server sits and knelt down right on the carpet (and I can tell you I wouldn't be able to do this.) He then became the bell ringer during the consecration. After that, he went about his way and did his Eucharistic Minister duties. Just watching this tonight was so powerful. I have given him a ride home a couple of times after church. My admiration for him is immense!! I believe there was a message in what I saw tonight!
Right after I came back to Douglas last year, there was a terrible accident right after the 5:00 o'clock mass. I was up at the cabin, so I wasn't there, but Teresa was. Two ladies were crossing the street to get to their cars when a drunk driver hit them. Both of them were seriously injured. One of the ladies hit is the wife of the rancher who was killed here almost two years ago, so there was a lot of media coverage.
The other lady is elderly and she had several broken bones and was hurt quite badly. Both of them have been back in Douglas for quite some time and seem to be doing fairly well. Last night, I walked out of church with Shirley. She uses a cane and you could tell she is still in a lot of pain. However, she ALWAYS has a big smile on her face and a hug to give. We walked her to her car and chatted. She is so upbeat and positive despite everything that has happened to her. She is a beautiful lady--both on the outside and the inside. My admiration for her is also immense!
Robert Louis Stevenson said, "The best things in life are nearest: Breath in your nostrils, light in your eyes, flowers at your feet, duties at your hand, the path of right just before you. Then do not grasp at the stars, but do life's plain, common work as it comes, certain that daily duties and daily bread are the sweetest things in life."
How true that was for me todayI The simple acts of shopping and church were some of the sweetest things in life!
