Rose has discovered a love for the big waves rolling in at the edge of the water. She starts down there on her own, and soon mom and dad are there to hold her up and make sure that they don't carry her away or wash over her. They try to bring her back on the beach and she wants to turn around and go back ! This last day with the dads has turned into one filled with the sweet voices of children, as Simon goes from one Christian song to anther, and Mary follows his lead. They are just a year apart in the Catholic School, and so they learn the same songs for the Christmas program and Spring concert. Their voices are a delight and such uplifting words too! Then after the coffee table was moved to valcumn up the sand that gets tracked in... the dance began! We found some Spanish music - "No wonder the Mexican people are so happy!" said Nancy as the kids - including Rose bouncing on her knees and Simon being a robot danced gleefully. Dad even got Rose up on her feet! Will she walk in the next week? We know that grandpa will work hard at it...
The Joyful gleeful dance with the dads! The sun is shining brightly once again as we fill every minute of this last day with dads and John o the brim with happy sounds and activity! I am full of great happiness with the times shared visiting, holding, feeding, kissing, hugging, dancing, praying, eating with, rocking with, cleaning up after, ( I can't say cooking for, because my girls have done all the cooking so far! This is wonderful!), walking in the water of the Big Lake Michigan, and, of course, taking those wonderful pictures of my kids, kids-in-law, and grandkids! Today Jesus reminds us that there are times when we celebrate with great JOY as the Bridegroom is with us. When we gather to spend relaxing time with family at our paradise vacation home - we are feeling his many blessings pouring upon us! The Bridegroom is with us and we play and dance and sing and visit and swim and go to parades... we do not fast while on a family vacation!
We spent some time with Maria, Joe and their three of facetime last evening. What JOY to share all gathered around them! We were all together for a short time! They even carried the camera out to the deck so that they could see the Lake and hear the waves - they oooohed and aHHHHed at the sight and sound! I had tears running as we said goodbye, yet there was talk that next year they will come with us! What JOY if they could walk in the door with Pat in a few days... I have not given up all hope yet.
Therese showed us her wonderful drawing, writing and reading, and Mary showed her the treasure box and that it came from Great Grandma's story we are reading. How wonderful it was to have them here with us for that half hour of laughing and sharing. So special to know that today is St Maria Goretti's feast day! She is one of the favorite ones of my kids growing up. Here is a reminder of her special gift to all young people to save yourself for marriage.
Feastday: July 6
Patron of youth, young women, purity, and victims of rape
1890 - 1902
"Born in Corinaldo, Ancona, Italy, on October 16 1890; her farmworker father moved his
family to Ferrier di Conca, near Anzio. Her father died of malaria and her mother had to struggle to feed her children.
In 1902 an eighteen-year-old neighbor, Alexander, grabbed her from her steps and tried to rape her. When Maria said that she would rather died than submit, Alexander began stabbing her with a knife.
As she lay in the hospital, she forgave Alexander before she died. Her death didn't end her forgiveness, however.
Alexander was captured and sentenced to thirty years. He was unrepentant until he had a dream that he was in a garden. Maria was there and gave him flowers. When he woke, he was a changed man, repenting of his crime and living a reformed life. When he was released after 27 years he went directly to Maria's mother to beg her forgiveness, which she gave. "If my daughter can forgive him, who am I to withhold forgiveness," she said.
When Maria was declared a saint in 1950, Alexander was there in the St. Peter's crowd to celebrate her canonization. She was canonized by Pope Pius XII in 1950 for her purity as model for youth.
She is called a
martyr because she fought against Alexander's attempts at sexual assault. However, the most important aspect of her story is her forgiveness of her attacker -- her concern for her enemy extending even beyond death. Her
feast day is July 6.
St. Maria Goretti is the patroness of youth and for the victims of rape."
May we learn to forgive as Jesus taught us, St Maria, and as you also forgave as Jesus did. Jesus, we trust in YOU. Amen and Halleluia
Bless-bless, Barb
"Halleluia! Praise the name of Yahweh, you who serve Yahweh, praise him"
Psalm 135:1
The psalm from mass today! We are truly experiencing this as a family at the Lake!
Dance for great JOY! "Hail Holy Queen enthroned above... O Maria. Triumph all ye cherubim, sing with us ye Seraphim. Heaven and Earth resound the hymn. Salve, Salve, Salve, Regina! Saturdays are also dedicated to our Mother, Mary Most Holy. She brought JOY and LIFE into the world - the world needs LIGHTS!
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