True Forgiveness

"Forgiveness is not always easy. At times, it feels more painful than the wound we suffered, to forgive the one that inflicted it. And yet, there is no peace without forgiveness."

Marianne Williamson

Author and Speaker

There are times when you read words that creep into your reality the longer they stay with you. True peace is attained through forgiveness. 

Can we find it in our hearts to be truly forgiving people? 

It's A Life

Children see the world in their own way.  Take the time to enjoy this German produced ad. 

It`s a Life is beautiful type of interpretation of living in poverty from a child`s perspective. Very touching, but also, very thought-provoking.

Include Me

Another touching true story about people who know the real meaning of life. 

"We Want Ike!": The Gift of Being Included

Ike Ditzenberger had watched his big brothers play football. He grew up idolizing and imitating them. Ike wanted to play football too. And he even dared to talk about his dream of playing college football. Big deal, right? It just means that he is like thousands of other teenagers who dream of being an on-field hero.

As a matter of fact, Ike is quite different from your "average" teenage boy. The 17-year-old junior at Snohomish (Washington) High School has Down Syndrome. His 5-foot-6, 160-pound frame isn't that of an athlete, and he doesn't have the motor skills to compete in a game where he could get hurt very easily.

Ike is fortunate to have a supportive family. More than that, his classmates have given Ike the one gift that matters most to so many kids who have a handicap, look different, or stand out for the wrong reasons - the gift of inclusion. Still more specifically, Snohomish's football coach lets Ike come to practices and hang with the guys he admires. Coach Mark Perry has even created a play that ends every varsity practice. Called the Ike Special, the offense hands the ball to Ike. And he gets the thrill of running it toward a soft defensive line of his friends.

On Friday, Sept. 24, 2010, the traditionally competitive Snohomish was absorbing its fourth loss of the season. A 35-0 drubbing at the hands of undefeated Lake Stevens High was mercifully about to end. With 10 seconds left on the clock, Coach Perry heard the "We want Ike!" chant from the stands, put Ike Ditzenberger into the backfield, and called the Ike Special. Wearing No. 57, Ike took the ball and began to run left. Although he appears to have stepped out of bounds, officials let the play continue - as his teammates ran interference and Lake Stevens players made reluctant efforts to get to him.

By the time the clock had expired, Ike was in the end zone. He had run for 51 yards and scored Snohomish's only touchdown of the night. He got to dance in the end zone. The play that worked every time in practice had worked that night in a real game. And Ike got to head to the sidelines to rip off his helmet, pump it in the air, and - in his mom's words - "scream like a banshee."

Grownups in the stands were crying. Lake Stevens players had given up a shutout for something far more important. Snohomish coaches and players had taken the final step in making Ike "one of the guys" with the team.

With all the scandals in sports at all levels, it's nice to come across a story that affirms what games are supposed to teach - character, sportsmanship, team spirit, and self-confidence. Ike and his big brothers can talk football like never before for the rest of their lives now. The guys on the field that wonderful night can talk forever about the biggest play in their high school careers.

If you missed it, go to http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jb_4f5nXZdA. It's a highlight play you don't want to miss.

Rubel Shelly

A Bubble

Bubbles have always fascinated me. This is an image taken by my daughter today as we played in the late afternoon sun.

Light, Shadow and Water

A little inspiration courtesy of my daughter.

Foggy Morn

This morning the fog was thick as we made our way down silent streets to Mass.

When I greeted our little ones, we took a moment to recognize the mystery in this foggy morning and how it mimics the mystery of our relationship with God.  As fog blinds us to what is around the next corner, it is our human limitations that blind us to the majesty of the gift that God has for his people.

Surprise

A number of months ago I entered some photos in a local contest.   The prize is the publication of the photo in a calendar. This past Thursday the winners were announced, but because we were out of town with my daughter who was in a skating competition, we missed the awards ceremony.
Today, at our parish breakfast, a long time friend congratulated me.  I had to ask why and was told that my name  had been announced as one of the winners this year, as was hers.
I returned the congratulations but now wonder which photo was chosen.

"Start living now. 
Stop saving the good china for that special occasion. 
Stop withholding your love until that special person materializes. 
Every day you are alive is a special occasion. 
Every minute, every breath, is a gift from God."


Mary Manin Morrissey
Speaker and Author

A Reminder that It is Not Easy

And this from Michael Josephson.  A great message to us all. 

It's Not Easy

Let's be honest. Ethics is not for wimps.

It's not easy being a good person.

It's not easy to be honest when it might be costly, to play fair when others cheat, or to keep inconvenient promises.

It's not easy to stand up for our beliefs and still respect differing viewpoints.

It's not easy to control powerful impulses, to be accountable for our attitudes and actions, to tackle unpleasant tasks, or to sacrifice the now for later.

It's not easy to bear criticism and learn from it without getting angry, to take advice, or to admit error.

It's not easy to feel genuine remorse and apologize sincerely, or to accept apologies graciously and truly forgive.

It's not easy to stop feeling like a victim, to resist cynicism, or to make the best of every situation.

It's not easy to be consistently kind, to think of others first, to judge generously, or to give the benefit of the doubt.

It's not easy to be grateful or to give without concern for reward or gratitude.

It's not easy to fail and still keep trying, to learn from failure, to risk failing again, to start over, to lose with grace, or to be glad of another's success.

It's not easy to look at ourselves honestly and be accountable, to avoid excuses and rationalizations, or to resist temptations.

No, being a person of character isn't easy. That's why it's such a lofty goal and an admirable achievement.

This is Michael Josephson reminding you that character counts.

Bronners

There are times when one is pleasantly and unexpectedly surprised.

This weekend held one such surprise. This summer our vacation plans were put on hold by an unexpected death in the family.  At last, we completed that journey, albeit abbreviatedly.

Our sojourn took us to the village of Frankenmuth in Michigan and to the Bronners' CHRISTmas Wonderland. Yes, Christ is first and foremost in their Christmas, just as it should be.  God so loved the world that He gave us His only son.  For this we must be grateful To God.  For the wonderful reminder to keep Christ in Christmas, I will express appreciation to Bronner's.

My Daughter is a Science Nerd

100 Years

It is family tradition to sing 'Happy Birthday' (albeit badly) and follow that with the Polish "Sto Lat" which translates to 100 years. 

Today we celebrated multiple birthdays in our family and extended family. We sang for my daughter, and then for my nephew and then for my brother-in-law whose birthday recently passed.  Then I suggest we sing for my mother-in-law who would have celebrated on Tuesday. 

We sang 'Happy Birthday' and the little ones happily continued with 'Sto Lat', much to the shock and horror of some of the adults.  It would seem that some think it inappropriate to wish 100 years for one who has ended her earthly journey.  Personally, I love the idea of wishing some one 100 years and more (eternity) in our Heavenly home. 

Wishing all the best to all of you!

Double the Pleasure

Or perhaps, that is double the embarrassment.

This year I planted a couple watermelon plants in my front flower bed.  I was looking for a plant that would spread well and produce the occasional flower.  I have pink and purple petunias and potato vine in that garden as well.

To my great wonder, the watermelon plant produced!  Over the past two months I have tended to three growing watermelons.  I have watered, put mulch under them and on colder evenings, I have run outside to cover them.  I very proudly show off these babies to anyone willing to listen and admire.

Imagine my surprise when one day this week, while watering the biggest of my little watermelons, I discovered and equal sized fruit right beside it.  How I, and anyone forced to view my little prides and joys,  miss this this watermelon, I do not know?

I am grateful for this fourth fruit.  I am even more grateful that my God does not overlook this prized fruit that He is so carefully tending.

Up and Running

Today was the first day back celebrating Liturgy of the Word with Children after a summer break.

What a wonderful treat!  Approximately ten children joined us as we learn the new responses for Liturgy of the Word, learned about the power of prayer, tasted Ugali (a cornmeal  dish that is served in the Horn of Africa) and created a visual reminder to pray for our brothers and sisters in the Horn of Africa.

It was a thrill to be back with our little friends. A little one, who is now almost three years old, was so happy to return to our Sacred Space for Worship that she sat on my lap during our Liturgy, just as she did when she was an infant. Others told me excitedly that they will begin school again or anew soon.  We even met a few new friends.

My time with our children brings me life, brings me joy, brings me love.

Prayers for Food and Water

People are starving in the Horn of Africa.

We learned today that God answers our prayers. As a concrete reminder the children, today, decorated plastic planters with stickers and were encouraged to put the pot in a highly visible location.

The children were asked to remember pray for our starving brothers and sister in the Horn of Africa.  If they were inclined they could use these containers to collect funds for Development and Peace's Horn of Africa  Relief Fund.

RE Memory

At times, repeated incidences in a day can seem like a pattern.

This morning a co-worker appeared, put his hand on my shoulder and said, I met someone who knows you.  Then he stopped, and said...but I don't remember who it was....I still don't know.

Then I went to Mass.  My dear friend and Pastor stood at the ambo after the Gospel and said, "Most of the time I come prepared with what I want to reflect on in scripture.  Today, I do not remember."

This evening, my daughter was to meet a friend.  The friend's mother forgot about the arrangement and did not come home from work until much later than expected.

It is the human in us that forgets. Our minds are burden by the daily numbness of over-information. But my God never forgets us.  He is never too busy for us.  Can we remember to take the time daily to thank Him for everything that He has done, that He has remembered to do for us?

Just Pray

I spoke with a friend today.  The news was not good.  A loving wife and mother to three active children she has been diagnosed with lymphoma.

This aggressive disease has spread throughout her abdomen in the time that it took to diagnose the cause of her fatigue and unexplained pain.

This is just a bump on the road. she says.  She is looking forward to feeling better once treatment is done although, at this time, her treatment is not yet determined.  Her fears?  Not having the energy to take part in her children's lives.

Her faith is strong, believing that God would not give her anything that she could not handle. but she wonders what lessons He wants her to learn.

What does she need?  Prayer - from me, from you and from everyone she knows.  She believes in the power of prayer to change her current state of health.  Won't you please join me in prayer... for her continuing strength and courage, for her healing, and for her faith?

What a lesson I learned today!