A few weeks ago our last two cows had their calves on the same day - both having bulls. Since they are new moms - they have not been put out on the far pastures yet, but together are close to the house in the pastures around our house, and they stick together with their new calves. It is nice that they have each other, and seem to appreciate the companionship as they are always together. Yesterday, as I headed into town, I looked to see them in the corner in the pasture by the fence laying down together with their calves. All seem to be doing well, and peaceful with this situation of being alone- yet together close to home. There are things going on with mothers now that this is a photo to start sharing about "motherhood." It happens that both Pat's mom and mine are looking at some changes in their health right now. I also am constantly praying for the health and safety of Ruth as she carries her 5th child. I also got a call from daughter #2 about her baby this morning while I was talking to my sister about our mother - so motherhood is very strongly on my mind and heart this morning! It is my passion and only I feel that it is my main and really only worthwhile calling in LIFE!
Today I want to use mother-child pictures and I just have to start with Patrick and Maria - after having the honor to be there for the month to of his birth/death/rebirth/healing. Maria gave me hope when I went to see her by taxi after she came out of surgery - leaving the newly baptized Patrick with the cool cap on his head in the middle of NICU - the sickest baby there! I fell apart when I saw Maria in SICU - "I thought I was watching Patrick die and maybe you too!" "Mom, we both made it!" She told me with almost JOY and wonder in her shaky voice! And from there she proceded with great Trust to believe that her son would be fine. That he would be able to use her milk, which she pumped from day 1, and he did soon and amazed all there! That he would come off all the tubes and come home, which he did in short order. That he would bring his family together to fight for his healing and health, which happened with his dad returning from Afghanistan in just a matter of days after his birth! Then the prayers that surrounded us - just as they had with John 4 years ago. The healing was once again encountered as our prayers were heard! Maria was the model for motherhood and the great example of how a mother can through shere love and determination bring her child from the brink of death to newness of LIFE. How much do you think our Spiritual Mother had to face with her virginal YES to the Holy Spirit- allowing God to come into her womb? She had to face a lot of obstacles in our world to allow this to happen through her and in her.
One more of this beautiful Cross/Lamb - Patrick - who showed us that the Cross can be placed upon your shoulders even before we enter this world!
So many waves of family washing over me as I try to get this written today. Much of it having to do with my mother's health and talking to family members about it. Also a call from Nancy about her little girl's issues of having some mysterious issue keeping her up for the last 3 nights with temps, etc - probably teeth as that is the age she is at! So many reminders of how motherhood is a full time and at times very exhausting job- especially when they are young. Although this being the 4th anniversary of John's cancer journey - I recall very vividly how much I was pulled back into that mother's role of being needed as though I had a tiny helpless child as we prayed and trusted that we were being carried in the Lord's hands and upon his shoulders as the lost sheep!
Nancy with her sweet baby girl!
Lord, motherhood is a fulltime and most important vocation for us! May we look to your Mother, Mary Most Holy, and find her help and model of how we are to say "Yes!" to LIFE and then give without counting the cost. I have my own wonderful and amazing mother there to show me the JOY and happiness that can be found when you are open to LIFE. Yes, the Cross was there, but that is our Most Cherished Cross and through our embracing that we find LIFE eternal! We are blessed with the each new LIFE, whether they are here with us or in heaven, and those lives add more LOVE to our families - it is not stretched more thin. How glorious is the masterpiece of Family/Domestic Church! How we are blessed to share our Faith and your Truth with all those that you have given us to share the journey with! Jesus, we trust in YOU. Amen and Halleluia
Bless-bless, Barb
Get better soon, Bernadette!
"Enter through the narrow gate; for the gate is wide and the road broad that leads to destruction, and those who enter through it are many. How narrow the gate and constricted the road that leads to LIFE. And those that find it are few." Jesus speaking to us in the Gospel today - Matthew 7: 12-14
In the theme of motherhood from one generation to another - here I am working at our "farm" in the allergy season. My mom, who is also an allergy sufferer came up with this to help me as I worked on painting the outside of the windows. It worked well.
John just left on the 4 wheeler to spray weeds in the pastures and fencelines - he is having a battle with his allergies today, and we are out of the meds to help. So... look what we came up with to help him out there in the pollen. Passing on help from one generation of mothers to the next. Beginning with our original Mother of Heaven and Earth. I am sure that she could make a handkerchief to help Jesus in a similar situation then too! Just carrying it a bit too far, but we all know that Mary cared for her son as any mother would!
Danielle Rose - A mothers' song - get out the kleenex
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