After Thanksgiving Dinner

-

 While I might not be as into Thanksgiving Day as many people are, there is a great deal to be grateful for, even beyond the things from the first post a few days back.  I came to realize so much more after Mass this morning.

My family and friends are so awesome.  I know I mentioned them the other day, but the afternoon gathering was truly priceless.  One of our friends is a fun guy with a gracious personality.  It seems more and more that he feels comfortable being a part of our regular family gatherings.  What he doesn't always realize is just how much he adds to the atmosphere of those gatherings.  He has stories, one liners, questions about faith, the Church, and I know how grateful he is to be part of our lives.  It's just I don't always think he realizes how much he adds to mix.

My niece and her husband came into town for the weekend from Minnesota.  Of course we miss having them around the area regularly, but it's so marvelous to have them "home."  They too add so much to the conversation and laughter.  So does my younger nephew (the older was not there, so nothing personal).  That young man has a very creative mind beyond the intelligence he brings with him.  He too has a great sense of humor.  But I put these three into one paragraph because they work so well together and feed off of each others' good vibes.  What a blessing to behold.

My sister-in-law has so much love inside of her and she expresses it in a more "biblical Martha-like" manner.  She is always trying to see to the physical needs of others.  "Are you thirsty?  Can I get you something to drink?  Can I get you anything else?  There's more food..."  She puts so much effort into it and it is noted as being very lovingly done.  And she learned from her mother.  Her mom is very sweet and is super talented in the kitchen.  She is funny and quite a compassionate love that she so freely gives.

So as much as I thank God today for my mom and brother and other family (some no longer with us), these people really bring a lot to the table.  Thank you, God, for you ARE good!

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

I just looked back

-
THIS TUESDAY WILL BE THE ANNIVERSARY OF WHEN I STARTED THIS THING!  MAYBE THIS YEAR I WILL MAKE A BETTER EFFORT TO BE CONSISTENT WITH HOW OFTEN I POST SOMETHING. I was thinking about my trip down here.  I think the most interesting thing I recall seeing along the way was an advertisement for bomb shelters.  No joke.  I found that to be a little disturbing.  I have also seen numerous names of streets that I wish I could remember more clearly, but many are street names with Spanish influence with words like "calle" "camino" or "avenida" built in (street, way, or avenue for those who are not familiar with Spanish).  It makes sense that would be part of the surroundings because it is so close to Mexico and it was here WELL BEFORE the current government regime. On that topic, BTW, I continue to hear from many politicians from BOTH parties that President Trump is running farther and farther away from being in charge of the longest standing democracy in history....
Read more

Happy Saturday

-
 Blessings to all on the January 10, 2026! Shout out to a friend back home whose sister passed away last night.  Love you bro and may she rest in peace. I am still getting acclimated to the surroundings.  I am trying to figure out walking distances (i.e. if something is within walking distance of the retreat center.  For example, Target is a couple of blocks north of here and definitely within range.  Maybe as I get farther into my time, I will be able to expand that walking distance radius. Saw a beach for the first time yesterday.  It's probably the closest one to have access.  Lots of people just looking out over the ocean, not many ON the beach, though there were a couple of surfers in the water. I know that weather back home is much worse than where I am now, but it's still a little cool.  Not quite ready to be sleeveless. I will be trying to make it to Mass tonight.  That actually depend on how long it takes to get my windshield replace...
Read more

Holy Orders - preview

-
 Things continue to be complicated.  Maybe that is a strong word for how I am feeling recently, but it has been difficult to focus.  I want to focus on my future, especially the next three months before I leave for my six-month sabbatical to San Diego.  The parishioners are very supportive, which helps quite a bit.  Many continue to tell me how much I will be missed, which is also appreciated and humbling.  It many just be their good hearts saying so, but sometimes I begin to feel almost guilty about leaving.  Still, I know this is the right thing for me to do.  I have at least 12 years of ministry to go before I am even of age to retire without doing so for medical reasons.  I hope it stays that way.  It's the only way i want to retire.  Just to reach 70 years old and retire without extraordinary circumstances.  The talks on the Sacraments I have been working on for the last few months are going pretty well.  July was bap...
Read more