Enlightened Purrs…pective
A community of love…
Have you ever experienced this? Have you ever found yourself amongst friends and felt so secure, so wrapped in comfort, so peaceful, so happy, so blessed and oh so very loved? I pray that you have and I believe if you are reading this I know you have because you are a friend of mine, I’ve worked alongside of you, you may be a member of my family or a member of my church. I have a number of loving communities surrounding me every day, but yesterday and this evening I experienced the greatest forms of a love and compassion.
I’ve lived in the Dearborn area most of my adult life. I belong to The Church of The Divine Child where I am a Eucharistic Minister, Lector and recently joined the Usher’s Club. My children have gone to school at Divine Child from first grade on with my oldest daughter Chelsea graduating. After my divorce, my twins and I moved only thirty seven homes away from the church/school. This is my community of faith. I belong, I’m peaceful, I’m comfortable and I am loved.
This afternoon, two young men were in a fatal automobile accident on their way to take photos of the Senior Cheerleaders for their yearbook.
Paul, a college Senior and a recent graduate from Divine Child and Wayne, a Divine Child Senior.
20 years old and 17 years old.
These two very talented, loved, adored and respected young men lost their lives today.
News went out via High School email, texting, Facebook, twitter and by phone, believe it or not!
A prayer service had been announced for 7:00pm.
I live on the street where my church stands and I watched the cars drive by and park on all the surrounding corners. I watched the kids walking down the sidewalk with their parents as I myself traveled.
Silence!
Every pew was filled with members of the parish, high school students, family and friends. Sobs, tears, silence and question filled the air. Even though there was great sadness and loss, there was love surrounding every one present. People came, not to even say anything to the families, but to let them know their community was here for them holding them in their arms of love.
It’s amazing to me, that when there may be sadness there is also a balance of joy and hope.
Yesterday, I experienced the promise and dedication of marriage as my longtime friend and colleague joined hands with the love of his life.
Jake Larson, my adored Shaw sales rep. married Erin at a most lovely ceremony at the precious and spiritual Church along the shore of Orchard Lake. Again, the community of faithful friends and family witnessed and shared in one of the greatest days of a man and woman’s life. Together we danced, dined, shared and heard stories of the past and the memories to be made. Happiness was abundant. The bride and groom were strategically placed in the middle of the room with all the tables surrounding them with a community of love.
Applause!
Communities join together for support, for faith, to share the joys and sorrow, to be silent, to applaud, to hold in the palm of their hands, to guide, to walk alongside, to cry for and with, to teach, to learn, to carry, to be carried.
You and I my friend are blessed.
And when you feel that life just can’t go on, or when you have something you want to share and are so overjoyed about, when you feel loss or confusion or when you don’t feel there is no one listening… you will be surprised at just how very blessed you and I are.
Your community will be there for you.
They will surprise you.
Just open your eyes or answer the phone or email.
“I believe for every drop of rain that falls, a flower grows.”
“I believe that somewhere in the darkest night, a candle glows.”
“I believe above the storm the smallest prayer will still be heard.”
Keep Climbing!
A community of love…
Have you ever experienced this? Have you ever found yourself amongst friends and felt so secure, so wrapped in comfort, so peaceful, so happy, so blessed and oh so very loved? I pray that you have and I believe if you are reading this I know you have because you are a friend of mine, I’ve worked alongside of you, you may be a member of my family or a member of my church. I have a number of loving communities surrounding me every day, but yesterday and this evening I experienced the greatest forms of a love and compassion.
I’ve lived in the Dearborn area most of my adult life. I belong to The Church of The Divine Child where I am a Eucharistic Minister, Lector and recently joined the Usher’s Club. My children have gone to school at Divine Child from first grade on with my oldest daughter Chelsea graduating. After my divorce, my twins and I moved only thirty seven homes away from the church/school. This is my community of faith. I belong, I’m peaceful, I’m comfortable and I am loved.
This afternoon, two young men were in a fatal automobile accident on their way to take photos of the Senior Cheerleaders for their yearbook.
Paul, a college Senior and a recent graduate from Divine Child and Wayne, a Divine Child Senior.
20 years old and 17 years old.
These two very talented, loved, adored and respected young men lost their lives today.
News went out via High School email, texting, Facebook, twitter and by phone, believe it or not!
A prayer service had been announced for 7:00pm.
I live on the street where my church stands and I watched the cars drive by and park on all the surrounding corners. I watched the kids walking down the sidewalk with their parents as I myself traveled.
Silence!
Every pew was filled with members of the parish, high school students, family and friends. Sobs, tears, silence and question filled the air. Even though there was great sadness and loss, there was love surrounding every one present. People came, not to even say anything to the families, but to let them know their community was here for them holding them in their arms of love.
It’s amazing to me, that when there may be sadness there is also a balance of joy and hope.
Yesterday, I experienced the promise and dedication of marriage as my longtime friend and colleague joined hands with the love of his life.
Jake Larson, my adored Shaw sales rep. married Erin at a most lovely ceremony at the precious and spiritual Church along the shore of Orchard Lake. Again, the community of faithful friends and family witnessed and shared in one of the greatest days of a man and woman’s life. Together we danced, dined, shared and heard stories of the past and the memories to be made. Happiness was abundant. The bride and groom were strategically placed in the middle of the room with all the tables surrounding them with a community of love.
Applause!
Communities join together for support, for faith, to share the joys and sorrow, to be silent, to applaud, to hold in the palm of their hands, to guide, to walk alongside, to cry for and with, to teach, to learn, to carry, to be carried.
You and I my friend are blessed.
And when you feel that life just can’t go on, or when you have something you want to share and are so overjoyed about, when you feel loss or confusion or when you don’t feel there is no one listening… you will be surprised at just how very blessed you and I are.
Your community will be there for you.
They will surprise you.
Just open your eyes or answer the phone or email.
“I believe for every drop of rain that falls, a flower grows.”
“I believe that somewhere in the darkest night, a candle glows.”
“I believe above the storm the smallest prayer will still be heard.”
Keep Climbing!
