Super-dee-duper-dee-busy

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I have had a super-dee-duper-dee-busy week already, and it is what? Tuesday? Yes, it is only Tuesday! Well, it is only going to get busier, I fear.

First: Updates!

Yesterday's funeral Mass was beautiful, awe-inspiring, sad and joyful all rolled into one. I've never been to a newborn's funeral before, and it was a whole other level of sadness with incredible joy also in the mix. You see, this is where my Catholic faith just seems to blow me away. Through all the sadness and tears, the priest managed to bring joy and hope to all present. This sweet baby, Mary Katherine, was born on Our Blessed Mother's birthday last week. The priest talked about how perfect that was, as Mary carried Our Savior knowing he would be sacrificed to God. My friend carried her baby knowing she would have to give her back immediately. Yet, she gave that child the only life she could. That baby survived in her womb, lived in God's grace, fulfilled God's plan for her life, because her family was willing to make that painful sacrifice, and give her back to the Lord on the day she was born. The priest talked about having an advocate in Heaven now. What a comforting thought. That baby is still part of our Church, just not the Church Militant.

But for all that hope and joy through the tears, when the lone pall bearer, the baby's father, carried that tiny casket out of the church, I was never so filled with admiration and such complete grief simultaneously. It was a beautiful, poignant, and tear-filled memory that will stay with me always, and brings me to tears just to remember. Please pray for Mary-Katherine, and her family.

#2: Husband's job went well the first day. Praying the second, third, and all the rest go as well.

#3: My meeting yesterday went very well, and though I cried through the beginning part (it was immediately following the funeral) we managed to bring some hope for the future to our family. Thanks be to God for this tremendous gift.

What lies ahead:

Today is the first day of school here. It is a bit off kilter. I'm not fully prepared, but prepared enough to begin. By week's end I hope to have hit my stride, therefore all things blogger must be second, third, or perhaps even 4th priority.

I have a blog award I am thrilled to have received, last week, and I have not had the chance to do the post and accept yet. To Cheryl, who awarded me, I thank you and the post is coming, though maybe not until next week at this point.

Off to wake the troops who were scheduled to be up 30 minutes ago! So much for the first day running on schedule...

Endings and New Beginnings

Life is a series of beginnings and endings. This picture symbolizes that so well, don't you think? This is Mr. Thorns and I on our wedding day, nearly 20 years ago. We were just kids. His grandparents were not well enough to attend, so between the ceremony and reception we visited them. By our second anniversary they were both gone.

This is Christmas 2008, all of my children. End of the year, beginning of a new one. End of the Blessed Mother's pregnancy and beginning of the life of Our Saviour.

And another ending/beginning is moving. This is a picture of the day we moved The Oldest to an apartment. You know the place, in NJ, where I keep getting lost :).

This one is a new beginning. I have submitted my first post to Catholic Mothers Online. I am not sure when it will run, I will let you know when it does. My first post talks about endings and new beginnings, so it does fit here with the theme.

And on that note, if I am absent from my usual haunts online, it is because of all those changes we are facing in our lives. But, I will be back, so don't forget about me. And I will try to keep posting :).