Silence

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Dsc_0015_2Mid-September through the first week in October have proven to be very intense in my household. I've learned in the past few years that early autumn requires my full time and attention at home. There are lots of happy things: feast days and a flurry of birthdays. There is the inevitable strain of adjusting to my husband's intensified travel schedule, coupled with the children's intensified activity schedule. We all need to hunker down and adapt to the demands of "school" and we usually have some unforeseen things thrown in there, too.  By September 13th or so, I begin to feel sensory overload, just anticipating what's to come. This year, the sensory input is coming from within me, too. A precious little person keeps tapping me and reminding me that she is in need of particularly special care. And then there is this to consider: Autumn is my very favorite time of year~outside. So, it's time to stop reading and writing on the web for a spell. Time to go for long walks, God willing.  It's time to save my words for the people in my home and hope that in doing so I will find for myself some of the silence so vital to souls of those seeking to live in His will. If I can persuade my camera to begin speaking with my computer again, I'll let my kids post pictures so our journal will continue. Otherwise, we're going to be quiet here for a few weeks. Have a beautiful, blessed early autumn!

Just for Today

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As I was tinkering with templates and sidebars, I was particularly struck by this food for thought (and prayer). I thought I'd post it here for us to ponder as we try to live in God's presence during this busy weekend.

  • 1. Only for today, I will seek to live the livelong day positively without wishing to solve the problems of my life all at once.
  • 2. Only for today, I will take the greatest care of my appearance: I will dress modestly; I will not raise my voice; I will be courteous in my behavior; I will not criticize anyone; I will not claim to improve or to discipline anyone except myself.
  • 3. Only for today, I will be happy in the certainty that I was created to be happy, not only in the other world but also in this one.
  • 4. Only for today, I will adapt to circumstances, without requiring all circumstances to be adapted to my own wishes.
  • 5. Only for today, I will devote ten minutes of my time to some good reading, remembering that just as food is necessary to the life of the body, so good reading is necessary to the life of the soul.
  • 6. Only for today, I will do one good deed and not tell anyone about it.
  • 7. Only for today, I will do at least one thing I do not like doing; and if my feelings are hurt, I will make sure no one notices.
  • 8. Only for today, I will make a plan for myself: I may not follow it to the letter, but I will make it. And I will be on guard against two evils: hastiness and indecision.
  • 9. Only for today, I will firmly believe, despite appearances, that the good Providence of God cares for me as no one else who exists in this world.
  • 10. Only for today, I will have no fears. In particular, I will not be afraid to enjoy what is beautiful and to believe in goodness. Indeed, for twelve hours I can certainly do what might cause me consternation were I to believe I had to do it all my life.  ~Bl. Pope John XXIII

What We're Reading Today

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Page4_2Repost from last year.

A little over a year ago, my mother attended a book signing by author A. B. Curtis. She bought a book for my children and mailed it to them. I have to admit I was skeptical of a children's book about the tragedy of September 11, 2001. How do you capture the horror in rhyming verse and whimsical pictures? You don't. Instead, Ms. Curtis tells the story of St. Paul's church, an historical church that stands fewer than 100 yards from where the towers stood. The chapel became a refuge and launching point for the rescuers who were on the scene. Every time I read the book tears well in my eyes at the thought of the fireman who hung their shoes on the chapel fence before they went into the towers:

Oh what gallant men did we lose

Who never came back to get their shoes!

The book is a gentle re-telling. Our children are surrounded every day by references to the horror that forever changed our world. They will ask what "9/11" means and they surely deserve to be answered. But, they should not see that footage and they should not be bombarded with remembrances more appropriate for grief-stricken, terrorized adults. Childhood is all too brief. Very soon, they will be old enough to learn the details of the day. For now, this book tells them a story of hope amidst the charred ruins. A story we all need to hear.

You can read the entire book and see the pictures here.

And one more thing: my husband flies today and my children are more than a little unnerved by that fact. Your prayers are appreciated.