he's gone

We celebrated Billy's graduation from UCSD on Saturday. Those four years went by so fast for us and they are full of experiences and learning and growing for B. Much of it only his to know. One of the most heartening windows into that time for us was in meeting his friends. Clearly, the affection, laughs, and hard work shared by them is what made it all worth while. Billy's friends stayed through the ceremony (in horrific heat) until the bitter end, when all 900 names had been announced. 80% of his class had exited by that point. They stayed for eachother. I am so grateful for the people at UCSD who provided a place to grow, but most especially grateful for his friends and their families. (pictured: Daniel, fellow ME major and fellow grad student, and Billy.) Blessings!

the best time

Father's Day 2008. Pete elected to spend his Father's Day at Pt. Reyes, a spot we can get to in a reasonable amount of time and enjoy. Our youngest son, John, went with us and because it was Father's Day he enjoyed himself, for Pete's sake, truly. We started with mass at the Priory, on our way stopped for food often and when we reached our destination, then hiked at Abbott's Lagoon out to the beach. So much to see! Rabbits, snakes, egrets, blue heron, ladybugs, wildflowers, tadpoles (lunch for the heron), ants, beetles, ... the best part was having John with us. He made it more an adventure, spying things we missed, like the snakes. At 15, the best time to love him is when he's NOT LOOKING. This picture captures (without his looking or knowing about it) our joy in sharing this place with him and sharing him with this place.

build her up

I'm wondering about women in the Catholic Church... as much as there is a begrudging acknowledgement that women are critical to the mission of the Church, it seems that for this Catholic woman, that my presence is more a source of irritation for the male leaders I encounter. What is that about? What is the meaning of what seems to be? (I think I was offered that question when I was at JFK Univ. years ago!) I'm feeling the need to go back to the wigwam and to hang with my sisters and get reminded of my own worth. I'm thrown back, like so many women through the ages, into the TRUTH of my worth and into the most important relationship there is... my own with the Creator. Is it important to stay with the question though: what is the meaning of what seems to be? and what must I do? (I found this pic of the little blue light we lit for Tommy when we were in a small chapel in Bagnoles de L'Orne in Normandy last October.... answered prayer: he has found his path, for now, a job with NRDC.)

remember me

Remember me? I'm the one who... packed up my belongings and said goodbye to my family and drove to the airport and got on a plane and flew to a strange place and was given orders to do my part for the war effort. I was doing "my duty". There IS no greater love than to lay down one's life for one's friends. Today I remember: Sr. Airman Jake Yelner, USAF, Capt. Joseph Flynn, USN, Lt. Col. Robert W. Riegel, USAF , Maj. Jennifer Johnson, USAF, Capt. Roger Johnson, USAF (ret.), Col. Brian Robinson, USAF (ret.), Maj. Robert B. Riegel, USAF. These are the ones I will remember today. I honor their sacrifices and thank God for them. I especially pray for Jake's mother and family, and all of the families who are grieving today for a loved one lost in war.

the month of mary

finding a lost thing

I'm remembering an exact moment when I was little when I'd lost a ring that I had been given. I was devastated. Forlorn and despondent. I kept those feelings to myself, but they were there completely enveloping every cm of my heart. I looked with every ounce of attention and focus I could muster and to no avail. I'm remembering that moment now, why? It did turn up and the joy I felt then could have lifted me off the ground and carried me all the way to heaven. Literally! ( Maybe that's what caused the Ascension and the Assumption!) Anyway, why remember that now? because lost things sometimes are found. St. Anthony, pray for us!