Clever Crows.🦅

My carefree crows congregating on the tall trees at the end of my garden, cacophony of sound wafting it’s way through my open window, I love them with all my heart. New babies born, big excitement. I love the way there’s always one crow watching over each nest at all times, making sure babies are safe and sound, as they chat across with one another, swapping baby tips from their strategic perches. After a time, when the babies are strong enough to fend for themselves, I love how they fly together, parents and children, singing and shouting for joy, loving every minute of the august gift that is Life.

‘O come let us sing to the Lord! Let us make a joyful noise to the rock of our salvation. Let us come into His Presence with thanksgiving; Let us make a joyful noise to Him with songs of praise! (Psalm 94:1)

Just when I am certain they are fast asleep and all is hushed in crow land, off they go again in a burst of radiant exuberance. Their joie de vivre fills me with gratitude to God for the wonderful Gift that is Life. They teach me that no day is an ordinary day, every day is a new day, never to be repeated. That Life is a priceless precious gift from Father God, a sublime adventure to be lived and enjoyed, and not a prickly problem to be endured.

‘Said the sparrow to the robin, ‘I’d really like to know, what motivates those foolish mortals, as they rush around and worry so. Said the robin to the sparrow, ‘I think that it must be, they have no Heavenly Father, such as cares for you and me’ (Elizabeth Cheney)

‘Let all creation help you to praise God. Give yourself the rest you need. When you are walking alone, listen to the sermon preached to you by the flowers, the trees, the shrubs, the sky, the sun and the whole world. Notice how they preach to you a sermon full of Love, of praise of God, and how they invite you to proclaim the greatness of the One who has given them being’.                                                                    (St. Paul of the Cross)

We are children of the Most High God.🎶

Refuse to be average. Let your heart soar as high as it will’. (A.W. Tozer)

Kitty, 93 years of age is pensive, far far away in her own secret world. A colourful shawl thrown gracefully over her shoulders, exquisite jewellery from another era, her soft grey hair pinned back in  elegant pins. Death terrifies her.  ‘But you know Jesus’ I remind her. ‘Your folks will be there, all excited to see you again’. Kitty smiling gently, whispers, ‘I must not forget that’

Most days she hears the most beautiful music and for the longest time she was certain that all others in the Day-Room could hear it too. It starts up out of the blue keeping her glorious company. ‘Did you hear it today’, I ask. ‘Yes’, she replied. ‘It was very beautiful’. Mystery is not to be understood, it can only be entered into. One is never too old to be surprised by Joy.

‘You are soaring Kitty’, I say. ‘We are all chickens for a time but we must not remain chickens, attached to the earth. We must become eagles, flying higher and higher all the time, taking to the sky rather than remaining grounded. We are summoned to life on high with God’. ‘Tell me that every day’. Kitty whispers, what a Divine assignment is mine.

‘Those who have pure souls are like eagles and swallows which fly in the air’. (Cure D’Ars)

This is our destiny and while we are down here on our journey home let us never forget that the Lord our God is living within us to sustain us, to uphold us, to inspire us, to encourage us. If ever we forget that then we are in deep spiritual trouble. I must remember who I am - a child of God destined for Glory.

‘In the measure in which we can detach ourselves from earth, poor mortals that we are, we are allowed to fly to God’. (Sr. Mary Jean).

If on lonely roadways distant music you can hear - the music must be in your heart and nothing need you fear. Up the hills and down the valleys you will swing along - marching to the secret rhythm of an inward song. 

When the way grows dreary and your dearest friends depart - you will never weary if there’s music in your heart. You will hear a note of joy beyond the rugged slope - and catch upon the bitter wind the golden voice of Hope. (Patience Strong)

Pour the oil of God’s Love over everything.🕯

Jack called very early, agitated and upset. Family member celebrated a significant birthday and Jack was not invited. He has struggled all his life with mental health issues. Once when I asked him what ‘a bad day’ felt like, he replied:  ‘Burning pain all over my brain, like my head is full of eggshells’.

I share with him my similar tale of woe. Recently, I too was ready and waiting for the invitation that never arrived. Just like Cinderella, I didn’t get an invite to the Ball and my new glittery earrings are still in their glittery box unworn.

I felt rejected and very irrelevant but slowly it dawned on me that I was indeed in very good company. Jesus, Himself, knew all about rejection when He walked this world and if my life is walking with Jesus, then the lowly path is my path. ‘Be content to be a nobody, says Jesus’. (Sr. Wendy)

Laughter is indeed the sun that drives the winter from the human face, Jack’s beautiful smile returned and order restored once more. Walking with Jesus is always the better option. 

We make the Cross lighter for Jesus by striving to make it lighter for another. When we give ourselves to others, our hands, our listening ear, our hearts, a wonderful thing happens, we are happy, fulfilled and fully free.

‘To affect the quality of the day, that is the highest of Arts’.  (Henry David Thoreau).

Jesus said to Gabriel Bossis: ‘Be full of joy when you are misunderstood or overlooked because that makes you just like Me’. (He and I)

Bridie’s Prayer.🙏🏻

Bridie is almost totally blind. She can see shadows, she can sense when someone is very near. Whenever Bridie is praying her Rosary decade, I always sit directly in front of her. She is almost totally deaf too, and nowadays, dementia is entering the mix of her life. Oftentimes she gets confused and upset but as soon as our Holy Rosary begins, she immediately relaxes, happy and content. Holding her Rosary beads brings her profound peace. At the close of our Prayer time, she calls out Saint Teresa of Avila’s prayer from her deepest heart:

‘Let nothing disturb you. Let nothing frighten you. All things are passing away. God never changes. Patience obtains all things. Whoever has God, lacks nothing. God alone is sufficient’. Amen

Bridie leads, we follow. She has no idea how many of us are here with her in this cozy Day-room. She has no idea of the the difference she is making in this Sacred Space. She cannot see a staff member rushed off her feet, stopping in her tracks for a brief moment to absorb Bridie’s consoling words. As far as Bridie is concerned, she herself is totally dependent on the kindness of others, contributing nothing. Nothing could be further from the truth, how I wish I could let her know......

Bridie, a refraction of the Light of God, is radiant and beautiful as she utters words of comfort for all of us. When she utters; ‘God alone is sufficient’, we imbibe into our deepest spirits that sublime uplifting gem, coming from a beautiful lady who knows. 

One fine day God will let Bridie know the huge impact she made in the lives of so many. ‘How can that be Lord’, she will ask in utter amazement, dancing for joy, flabbergasted, over the moon. 

‘It is amazing what you can accomplish, if you do not care who gets the credit’. (Harry S. Truman).

Let nothing disturb you.....................

Age is honourable.🌺

Natalie, beautiful lady in her late 80’s, looking years younger and it is my sublime privilege and delight to spend some time with her every week. We pray Holy Rosary and talk for hours.

She has quite a tale of survival, Natalie’s marriage did not turn out the way she expected or hoped. She reared her large family in the midst of many sacrifices, baking bread late at night for school lunches a daily occurrence for Natalie. 

I listen with rapture as she recounts her return to Ireland, beginning again with small children in a farm deep in the country, no modern conveniences. Strong faith and superb health sustained her, good-hearted neighbours too. One lady in particular took Natalie under wing. ‘She was a real mother to me’, she fondly remembers. I ask if she would like her memories written down for posterity. Smiling sadly, Natalie replies - ’To be honest dear, sometimes it is best to forget’. Bouncing back she laughs and says, ’Laughter knocks the sting out of it’. 

What a privilege to be in this Sacred Space, soaking up wonderful wisdom from a lady who walked the walk. Most experts know one subject intensely, Natalie knows many, she is a fully fledged expert.

Much talk these days about caring for our elders and that of course is an exceedingly noble cause. Caring ABOUT our esteemed elders is even more crucial, in my humble opinion. Listening to their treasure trove of wonderful memories greatly enhances our lives. Our elderly friends, many lonely, would benefit greatly too from the camaraderie. Winning combination all around.

All stages of life are relevant, all stages of life bring their joys and sorrows, all stages of life are important. Glorifying youth and beauty has cost us a lot - our elderly have been pushed to one side, our society has silenced their voices. ‘The hopes of a lifetime can be read in the wrinkles on the faces of older men and women. That is why we should be very fond of our wrinkles. They are signs of blessing, of work, of a life that is offered, a hope that is lived. We have lost the treasure of their wisdom and so we lack role models. We get lost’. (Pope Francis)

The older fruit trees produce the best fruit, never too late to make a change. Let us act now, while we still have time.

‘The best classroom in the world, is at the feet of an elderly person’. (Andy Rooney).

Today, 17th July 2021, Natalie passed on to her Eternal reward. We were so thrilled to meet up again in Church a few weeks ago, Natalie and I. Our last time to be together as it turned out. Although Alzheimer’s was lurking, we both knew we loved each other dearly and now we are in each other’s hearts forevermore. Love never dies. Jesus tells us so and Jesus word is true. Allelulia.

‘Where the elderly are not honoured, there is no future for the young’. (Pope Francis)

Do good anyway.🎆

‘Give your best anyway. In the final analysis, it is between you and God. It was never between you and them anyway’. (Saint Mother Teresa)

Marina is always her gentle kind self but her room mate cold, unkind and dismissive. Staff brought to my attention that oftentimes she could be mean to Marina, I was so hurt for my dear friend. However, when I asked Marina about it, I got the distinct impression that she was not upset at all. Either, Marina was not aware or she chose to ignore.

As time went by, I began to notice a distinct change in Marina’s room mate, she became warmer and began to converse more with Marina. When her family brought fancy cakes, she would always keep one for Marina. It was a pleasure to visit with them, mammoth contrast to the way things used to be.

Thing is, Marina did not change, she continued on being the kind caring lady she always is. As a result, lady began to change. Her heart softened and instead of her usual bossy demeanour, she seemed kinder and smiled much more. Quite remarkable and got me thinking....

We can do nothing about another’s actions but we can do plenty about our own reactions. If we just keep on keeping on, doing what is best and right, we can help change for the better our little patch in this beautiful world. Like Marina, if we keep on doing the next right thing.....

‘Trust in The Lord’s mercies, and do what is right; cultivate the piece of ground He has given you,
 and all it’s riches shall be yours’.  (Psalm 36:3)

‘Everything can be taken from a man but one thing; the last of the human freedoms - to choose one’s attitude in any given set of circumstances, to choose one’s own way’. (Victor Frankl)

Beauty is God’s handwriting.🌺

Marina talking aloud to herself as I approach her room. ‘What’s up’, I ask. ‘I’m preaching a sermon’, she replies, smiling broadly.

Our first encounter took place in Fertha View High Support Hostel, where Marina resided and I worked for a time. Beautiful immaculately dressed lady, lipstick for sure, completely alone in the world. One day each week she would walk the short distance into town, loving tea in her favourite cafe. She dined alone, talking aloud to herself the whole time. Folk viewed her as that ‘weird strange lady’  and so she was mostly shunned and avoided.

We had tea one day and so began our amazing friendship and big wake up call for me. Marina didn’t expect to be addressed, she had grown very accustomed to being ignored. When anyone would stop to chat with us, Marina literally stepped back, physically & mentally into her ‘invisible’ zone. Shocking!

Hair stylist would ask me (never Marina) ‘How short’  Marina would like her hair. When Marina needed any new clothes item, again the shop assistant would address only me. Beautiful invisible Marina! How often poor lady must have felt deeply offended up and down the long years.

Little by little change came about. I would look to Marina on such occasions and slowly she began to participate, Marina was being included and consulted. By the time she could walk into town no more, she was much loved by all.

Nowadays, Marina is happy and content in St. Anne’s Nursing Home. We both thank God from our hearts for our everlasting friendship and we never forget how it all began fourteen years ago. Sublime gift from God that keeps giving.

‘Never lose an opportunity of seeing anything that is beautiful, for beauty is God’s handwriting, a way-side sacrament’. (Ralph Waldo Emerson)

‘Fix your eyes on Love. No matter what happens to you or others - within or without - look on Love alone. And Live’. (Catherine of Genoa)