Who We Carry In our Hearts

Who do we carry in our hearts?

Our hearts are full of love for many. Sometimes we don't even realize that we do until we lose them, never to see them again or hear their voice or have them present in our lives in any way.

Thus became the case yesterday when I learned of the instantaneous death of one of our parish priests. He was killed while riding his bicycle. He loved riding his bike. He was a humorous older, bald little man.

What we liked about him was his easy-going manner. He always told us a joke before Mass, just to make sure we started out with a grin or a grimace of a really "sad" (funny) joke. He liked to tease about his shiny head and how he could almost strike you blind if the lighting was just right.

But, more importantly than those things, was his ability to come across as just a regular guy who happened to love the Lord beyond measure. He wanted to spread the word of his genuine love and  that we had the ability to be more than we thought of ourselves simply because God loves us.

I carried him in my heart and didn't even know it. I cried like a baby when I heard of his passing, and yet I know without a doubt that he is up there, up there with the one he admired and loved the most. He would be telling us that, I know.

He taught us well and will be remembered.

Yes, I carried you in my heart...Godspeed and Rest in Peace Father Vic!

Fr. Vic Capriolo

Breaking Our Fall

4 Season Tree

Though the calendar on the wall doesn't say it is yet Fall, one can sure feel it in the air.

I remember when I was younger I always loved Spring the most. It was vibrant and exciting and fresh and so full of life. It seemed to mimic how I was feeling! As for winter, I will admit, it isn't one of my favorite seasons. But there are absolutely gorgeous winter days when the sky is as blue as an Easter egg and the snow sparkles like silver glitter. Those brisk, refreshing days have a purpose too.

Fall however to me feels softer and and almost gentle...it makes me pensive and more quiet. It's neither too hot, or too cool. It's like the nursery tale, "just right."  I feel like the season is telling me that it's ok to slow down, take my time and relish nature.

It is a special time of the year as trees transform, and their leaves begin to turn a russet gold. It's almost magical how they they can be green one day and over the next few days you can see them change to a different hue and shade. The leaves are at their most beautiful just before they drop off of the trees to be swept away by wind currents, or bagged up and taken away. I guess that's kind of how life is. We start out "green," but as we mature, hopefully we learn more about how we fit into life and learn more of what is expected of us. And, if lucky enough, we reach our golden years to examine more carefully our lives and try to do better before it's time to leave it all behind.

It's good to see the kids getting ready to head off to school. As students, they begin to learn that which they will need to, hopefully, become successful in their future careers. I believe the kind of learning that makes a person successful at human-ness, comes not from what is gleaned in school, but rather from what one learns in life and more improtantly than that, what one leaves behind for those who come after.


Fall, I'm glad to see it return. It's time to take a more leisurely walk without rushing into an air conditioned building to avoid the heat; or to be bundled up because it's so cold. Yes, though each season holds its own magic, I have to say that for me, this time, this softening time of the year, this fall, or autumn, just happens to be my favorite. What's yours?

To Be or Not to Be (Religion & Politics)

Politics and religion. Two things that I have always committed to not verbalizing or writing about publicly because these subjects have a tendency to ignite much, but accomplish little.

It seemed that at one time the Catholic and Protestant religions were the only ones discussed. Over time, however, our world has been cracked open like an oyster, and we now know more about the types of many religions that exist and we have, save for a few extremely radical ones, become more open and accepting to those who worship as they do.

Unfortunately, politics will always remain a slippery slope. I broke my own commitment very recently on Facebook when I commented about presidential candidates. I wish I hadn't. I am not, nor have I ever professed to be, politically savvy. When I have the inclination, I read about candidates, listen to a few debates, but I am not a devout student.  I have never studied things like real estate; financial investments or taxidermy, so therefore I should refrain from making statements. I admit though, I do trust my gut instinct.

At this politically charged time when we are being bombarded by so many political slings and arrows, I am again recommitting myself to staying away from politics. As I have seen so many others do, I  have not, and will not simply regurgitate what I read and then post it as though it were my own. Also, again, as I have seen others do I would not, or have not, ever used the words of others and claimed them as my own. 

Religion and politics, are slippery slopes of which I have seen so many others slide down. Though I have my own feelings and opinions I will keep them within the bounds of my own head and home.  I think that would be politically correct, don't you? ;)

Retirement Roadrash or Re-Invention?: The Big Digs Reasons

Retirement Roadrash or Re-Invention?: The Big Digs Reasons: I have at times, found myself wondering how or why we have such a big house. Our home only houses 2 people, my husband and myself, and is ov...

The Big Digs Reasons

I have at times, found myself wondering how or why we have such a big house. Our home only houses 2 people, my husband and myself, and is over 2,000 square feet. Yet in my life, it has always been that I am given what I need despite my thinking otherwise. For this I have always been thankful. So, this big house hasn't been without its reasons.

We liked this house from the outset. It had a wonderful wooded back yard and a large frontage as well. It was country, yet not too far from the city. When we first moved here there were three of us. Our daughter had already married and had a home of her own, but our son still lived with us. However, shortly after we moved here our son moved out. Despite the size of our home, he felt he wanted to be a homeowner too, and not just a dweller. This left me and my husband with much more space than we really needed.

Over the years, however, our home has been a haven for our family. They have visited, or lived with us for a couple of days, a couple of weeks and even several months. The bigness of the house has given us enough space that, if needed, we could get away and find a niche of our own. And, too, we have had many occasions of celebration at which extended family members come and the room to hold them all is available. When there are only my husband and myself residing here, I can go from the usual rooms (kitchen, living room, et cet), to the more quiet recesses, such as the den or my art room. I revel in the fact that I have as much, or as little, space as I need, or require.

Everything that happens, happens when the time is right;  sometimes there are reasons beyond comprehension as to why things do, or do not, take place. For the most part things fall neatly into place, other times things fall apart. Keeping faith that all will work out as it should, is what makes the difference between ourselves either falling apart or remaining whole and continuing on. May your rooms always be filled with what brings you joy and may you always be given that which you need when you need it the most!