Tuesday, September 15, 2015

Our Lady of Sorrows smiles!

 It's grandpa's birthday today, so the kids with their school backpacks on their backs gave him a group birthday hug before we headed out the door for school this morning.  Pat shares this day with his youngest grandson, Romeo, who will be one today!

I have been anticipating this day of Our Lady of Sorrows.  The Gospel takes place at the foot of the Cross from John19... It is when Jesus speaks to Mary and his beloved disciple, John, and gives her to John as his Mother and John to her as her son.  I am sure that in the midst of her great grief - she smiled tenderly at her new son, and embraced him with motherly love and they found comfort in one another as they watched the plan of Salvation played out before them.
 David is on the bottom of the pile of birthday hugs!  We love you grandpa!

Today is a mixed bag for us... celebrating two birthdays in the family and also reminded of how Our Lady of Sorrows was called to share the suffering of her Son as we are also called to have our share of hardships in our lives.  Although Mary stood at the foot of the Cross filled with such agony and pain as she watched her Son/God made Man suffer and die the most brutal of all deaths on the cross... in the midst was a moment of finding comfort as a mother and her son.
 Simon picking an apple off my eating tree in the rising sun to add to breakfast this morning.  The kids thought it was pretty special to have a fresh apple that had been growing on the tree just minutes before!  How I love to ponder the fresh juices, vitamins and minerals zooming around that apple!
 Zucchini bread made from zucchinis from grandma's garden and an apple as fresh as it can be... a good breakfast before school for the kids on the farm!
 I have banana bread in the oven for breakfast in the morning... no, I didn't grow the bananas, but it is fun to imagine where they did grow - some tropical paradise half way around the world. 
 Luke gives grandpa a late hug and misses the big pile of kids and backpacks!  We called Maria to wish Romeo a happy first birthday, too!  She sang happy birthday to her dad on the phone.  Tonight they drive to Washington DC to spend some time with Ruth and Paul and see some of the sights our nations' Capital has to offer! 
 We stopped by Paul's field of corn on the way home after dropping off the older 3 at school.  "Daddy's field?"  "Yes, Luke!"  Lots of "why" come from Luke these days. 

The scene in the Gospel today reminds us that we can face so much when we are surrounded and supported in our homes by our Faith/Family/Farm spent together.  It means the world that we all see eye to eye on the most important things in this world - Jesus, and His Bride,The Church, and that we support one another with prayer without ceasing.
 A beautiful Fall morning by daddy's field of corn close to town.

I have experienced those times when I am down and sad and life seems to be difficult and hard... suddenly I find myself laughing loud and long at the sweetness of a grandchild, or the words from Pat or John that bring LIGHT into my heart!  So good to have those small things that show us great LOVE! 
 The baler and rake have now left the yard, but Luke got to spend some time behind the wheel.
 He also got to be inside while grandpa washed the outside!
 Early lunch with grandpa....
 Kitty snuggle or strangle hold... the kitty wanted outside shortly after this.
 Luke found the teddy and they went for rides around the house... adorableness
 Yes, taking too many pictures, but there could be worse problems, right? 
Luke and Teddy look out on a glorious day - Our Lady and kitty safely behind the window.  He now has teddy in the swing and is pushing him... I have to stop taking pictures at some point, right? 
A picture taken a few days ago of the birthday boy - one year old Romeo - on the last day the pool was open - Labor Day.  Happy Birthday little red head!  We love you!
 
Jesus, we love and thank you for giving us the gift of Family where we can face all the storms of life united in your LOVE/LIFE/LIGHT!  We are so thankful for having our Spiritual Mother, who is always there to hold us close to her heart filled with love and concern for our needs, and brings them to you.  May we always turn to you - when we are weak, sick and tired we turn to you!  Jesus, we trust in you.  Amen and Hallelujah
A great one of the two birthday boys!  Bless-bless, Barbara Luke
May we feel as you have felt;
Make my soul to glow and melt
With the love of Christ, my Lord. 
Sabat Mater - Our Lady of Sorrows
 
Danielle Rose - Small Things with great love
Danielle Rose -  A mother's song - the Crucifixion
love it!

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