Plan B

We all know God works in mysterious ways but today’s one for the record books. Some necessary background: As most of you know I am the mother of four boys aged 18-23. We should contemplate installing a revolving door as most days my sons are off to college classes or to work, and no one has the same schedule. Consequently, all are not home or away at the same time. How I long for solitude! I remember when they hopped on the bus at 7:00 each morning and returned at 2:00. All four. All together. Me here. All alone.

Anticipating this day I had re-arranged my schedule to be home after attending Ash Wednesday Mass in the morning. I had hoped to write undisturbed all day long and into the night if it struck my fancy because my husband had to go out of town. I could spread my papers all over the bed staying up all hours if I so chose. Last night he tells me he’s not leaving until sometime this afternoon. Blow #1.

We have so many cars and trucks spilling over our driveway into our muddy snowy yard people actually comment, “Wow, you must pay a fortune for insurance,” and, “Your yard looks like a Chevy truck lot.” Yes…and yes. Unfortunately this day we are three – count ‘em – three vehicles short. Two in the shop and one driving to Michigan. Blow #2.

We share everything here: one bathroom for six people, a community computer (although a couple laptops are interspersed here and there), and today – transportation. Many are sacrificing for the benefit of all. But I had to give up Ash Wednesday Mass with all my friends or one of my sons couldn’t go to class. Seems like cruel and unusual punishment to me. I don’t think that qualifies as giving something up for Lent. Blow #3.

I know I can attend evening Mass at 7:00 but I like being out in the world with those crunchy ashes on my head. I like telling the whole world I’m Catholic. Tonight I’ll receive them, wash my face and go to bed. Not the same. But this is how it is today. Plan B. It must have God’s stamp of approval on it, for everyone in my family is doing “for the other.” Some, myself included, begrudgingly, but doing it none-the-less. Not a bad way to begin this season of reflection and renewal after all.

This Lent I wish you quiet time alone with God as you map out your next fortysomething days. Let's draw nearer to God together.

~ Maureen :)

It's Mardi Gras - Eat that Chocolate!

Ladies, take some time for yourself tonight. Take it. No one's likely going to give it to you. Barricade yourself in bathroom or bedroom and think. Just think. What do you want out of this life? What do you want to give to this life?

The past few days have been quite enlightening for me in a sickening sort of way. I have been re-reading journal entries which go back seven years. And guess what? Most complaints are the same. Nearly everything. That is wrong. I've begun changes in the past year but reading in black and white was quite eye-opening.

Where are you on your journey? Are you stuck somewhere you don't wish to be? Does a situation have you in its clutches and won't let go? Are you a mom of young ones, older ones? We moms face so much every minute of our days. So again, I say grab that time tonight.

Think about the coming of Lent. What does Lent mean to you? Are you going to give something up? Or do you feel you've already given too much up by your motherhood vocation? Many thoughts occupy our minds when we moms think of sacrifice. One thing though, if you think you have it rough, tomorrow as you receive those crunchy ashes on your forehead, really look at that crucifix; you'll understand you don't have it as bad as you thought.

Let's use these next forty plus days to improve ourselves, our relationships with others, and most importantly, our relationship with our God.

~ Maureen :)

Happy Heart Day Ladies!

Have a great weekend!
~ Maureen :)

Beware of Dandelions!

Handy tips to survive this day:

You probably should avoid stepping on that crack, lest you break your mother’s back. And if you must open your umbrella in the house, turn clockwise seven times while doing so. Grab the garlic first if you feel the urge to rock an empty rocking chair. And as you reach down to capture that four-leaf clover don’t be alarmed as the black kitty crosses your path to get a closer look at you. Hook that horseshoe on your elbow if your travels take you under ladders.

Avoid washing dishes altogether if you don’t want company today because if you drop a fork a woman will visit, dropping a knife brings a man, and a child will show up if you drop a spoon. Did you know that a goldfish in the pond brings good luck, while a goldfish in the house brings bad?

And on your way to find the gold at the end of the rainbow, whatever you do – don’t stop to smell the dandelions – you’ll wet the bed!

Happy Friday the 13th!

~ Maureen :)

I Believe in Miracles

The cure isn't the miracle; it's all the people praying for it. We think we don't witness miracles in our world because we don't see a hillside Jesus sharing loaves and fishes. I have yet to attend a wedding where the water turns into wine. And how many more people are diagnosed every day than cured?

As economic woes pound our nation and far off enemies kill each other, it's easy to become jaded and question God's power to transform. We want peace now, filled bellies, and cancer eradicated. But that's not God's modus operandi. Of course He could perform all such miracles. So why doesn't He?

So we can.

For the past few weeks I have been working on a book pitch. B-I-G deal for me. My confidants knew D-Day was this past Thursday. Grateful for their prayers and encouragement I was sure to call them afterward to tell them the encouraging news that I am one step closer. It was a happy day.

Later the same afternoon I got a call from someone I'd forgotten to tell, "Hey, Mo, how'd your deal go? You know, I said a little prayer to God for you today at 11:00 and I don't do that very often."

THAT'S the miracle. That's why I went to sleep that night with a smile on my lips. That's why I'm misty-eyed right now remembering his words. His concern for me brought him closer to God if only for the few moments it took to utter his heartfelt petition. He talked to God on my behalf in the same way God's multitude does every day in the name of a sister, a friend, a spouse, a stranger.

The miracle is in the stocking of food pantry shelves, in relief efforts inundating victims of natural disasters, in calling up a lonely person to say hi. Whenever we give of ourselves for another it's a miracle. How many miracles will you perform today?

~ Maureen :)

Being Nice Matters

Still not quite up-to-par, when “Grand Hotel” flashed across the TV screen I retook the living room from the dear darlings for a two hour rest. No screaming video games. No moronic teenage shows of any kind.

A 1932 classic. This is the movie in which Greta Garbo utters, “I want to be alone.” Coincidentally enough, I Scotchtape a piece of paper touting the very same words on the outside of my bedroom door when the writing muse hits.

Beginning in the bustling lobby of the exquisite German hotel, we soon learn the shabbily dressed man is dying – but how he transforms in two hours! Why? Entirely due to kindness, pure and simple. Gentle words. Heartfelt human contact. And sincere appreciation in return.

Greed and cowardice of one character merely emphasize the goodness of the others. “Nobody gives you anything for nothing,” our greedy one laments. How wrong he is. Good people give it all away every day – for nothing. Good wins. Evil loses. Every day.

During morning prayers this very morning (for you visiting CWCO members – you know who you are!), a fellow attendee thanked God that the devil’s little snafu yesterday was easily remedied: Right during a chat our moderator’s computer died. OK, devil, you got her attention for a few minutes. What did you think? That the conference would come to a crashing halt? No…I don’t think so. People rallied. Good prevailed. Conference continued.

Good always wins in the long run. It may appear as if greed momentarily killed kindness in my afternoon movie, but it did not. The good flourished in the hearts of the supporting cast as they remembered their kind friend.

“I always felt better when he came around.”

“He was friendly to me as no man ever was.”

What a legacy! What dialogue! We understand the circle of life portrayed at the conclusion of “Grand Hotel.” The older visitors we’ve come to love check out while a whole new bunch scurry about to register. Movie’s final words: “People come. People go. Nothing ever happens.”

Yeah right! Every single time a mom holds her dear one close, soothes a sadness or admonishes a slight she gives God. Nothing ever happens? She makes the difference in another human being’s life, just as all the kind people in our movie demonstrated.

You may think you have no audience as you change diapers and wash dishes, that “nothing ever happens,” but you are tasting life. And our God sees everything we do. He appreciates it all. My sons pass a tiny heart-shaped sign every day of their lives in our home. It simply says, "Because nice matters." Today, remember how much nice matters and plaster on a few more kisses; it can’t hurt!

~ Maureen :)

Happy Birthday, Gabriel!

Did you read the news item on Yahoo! this morning? Here’s where to go if you missed it: http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20090130/ap_on_fe_st/odd_birthday_surprise.

In short, a father home from Iraq surprised his 6-year-old son on the boy’s birthday by hiding in a big wrapped present in the corner of the boy’s classroom. How cool! Happy birthday, Gabriel! Gabriel’s news must be catchy because our family just heard exciting news of a dear friend, honorary son/brother actually, who will be home on leave from Iraq sooner than later. Life’s good. We need to remember this amid the chaotic moments of motherhood, don’t we? Life IS good ~ Sometimes we just have to dig down really deep to find it, right moms?

~ Maureen :)