It sometimes amazes me when something happens out of the blue and comes when you least expect it to happen. I had something happen this weekend that I believe might be a sort of sign--a sign to keep "on blogging" no matter what..........
Last January, I did a post called "Touching Moments" with a picture of President Obama hugging Gabby Giffords. I wrote about some touching moments that had unexpectedly happened to me on that Saturday.
Here is part of what I wrote:
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!
Friday I had to go to Tucson for a meeting. I got back just in time to change and go to the first DHS football game of the season. I left the game about half time as I was tired and when I got home, there was a message on the answering machine. It was from the wife of the gentleman that I wrote about. They had been gone all summer to stay with one of their daughters. First she wished Teresa a late happy birthday and told her she wished she could have been here for her birthday celebration. She then started to thank me for writing about her husband on the computer. As she was talking, she started to get choked up and couldn't continue talking. I could hear her quietly crying and trying to continue talking. She was able to say how much she appreciated the beautiful words that I had written about him, but it was very hard to understand her through her tears. This evening, I called her and talked to her. She was so appreciative and so supportive. She told me she was glad I am here and will call if they ever need anything.
Needless to say, this message meant so much to me. And it came at a time where I was considering not allowing just anyone to have access to my blog. I had made the decision earlier this week that I would not allow a bully to keep me from writing my blog and keeping it so that it is accessible for anyone. I truly believe that this was a sign and was not just a coincidence.
For the past two years that I have been in Douglas, a few things have happened that have truly helped me in making some of the very tough decisions that I have had to make in my job down here. They were unexpected and I believe that maybe my mom is up there helping me out just a little bit!!! And I think that is what happened on Friday night...........
My job in Douglas is not done. I have had so many positive comments made to me over the last several weeks from so many different people. Although I came down to Douglas primarily to be with Teresa, I believe that there might be a few more reasons. Although this sign was about my writing, I actually believe it was far more than just about my blog. I absolutely believe it was much more than that!!
Abraham Lincoln said, "I do the very best I know how, the very best I can, and I mean to keep on doing so until the end."
I have three more years and I can guarantee that I will CONTINUE to do my very best until my time is finished here!
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!
Friday I had to go to Tucson for a meeting. I got back just in time to change and go to the first DHS football game of the season. I left the game about half time as I was tired and when I got home, there was a message on the answering machine. It was from the wife of the gentleman that I wrote about. They had been gone all summer to stay with one of their daughters. First she wished Teresa a late happy birthday and told her she wished she could have been here for her birthday celebration. She then started to thank me for writing about her husband on the computer. As she was talking, she started to get choked up and couldn't continue talking. I could hear her quietly crying and trying to continue talking. She was able to say how much she appreciated the beautiful words that I had written about him, but it was very hard to understand her through her tears. This evening, I called her and talked to her. She was so appreciative and so supportive. She told me she was glad I am here and will call if they ever need anything.
Needless to say, this message meant so much to me. And it came at a time where I was considering not allowing just anyone to have access to my blog. I had made the decision earlier this week that I would not allow a bully to keep me from writing my blog and keeping it so that it is accessible for anyone. I truly believe that this was a sign and was not just a coincidence.
For the past two years that I have been in Douglas, a few things have happened that have truly helped me in making some of the very tough decisions that I have had to make in my job down here. They were unexpected and I believe that maybe my mom is up there helping me out just a little bit!!! And I think that is what happened on Friday night...........
My job in Douglas is not done. I have had so many positive comments made to me over the last several weeks from so many different people. Although I came down to Douglas primarily to be with Teresa, I believe that there might be a few more reasons. Although this sign was about my writing, I actually believe it was far more than just about my blog. I absolutely believe it was much more than that!!
Abraham Lincoln said, "I do the very best I know how, the very best I can, and I mean to keep on doing so until the end."
I have three more years and I can guarantee that I will CONTINUE to do my very best until my time is finished here!
2 remarks:
Sheila,
What a great post. Wow, see how much we need you to continue to be who you are? You touch many lives on a daily basis and this world is a better place because of you. CONTINUE to do your very best.
Jessie
What a beautiful and touching story story Sheila! Those kinds of stories seem to reach right into your soul sometimes and seem to make sense out of things happening in your life.
Love & hugs,
Nancy
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