The middle of the night is so peaceful. I just watched the taped replay of Grey's Anatomy, and it was a moving ending. Izzy's cancer battle, ie. her hair falling out, the uncertainty of what's ahead, her desire to live fully in the moment....I could relate well to all of this show! She is in a lot worse shape than I was, but the emotions of it are pretty much the same.

I flipped my "365 Days of Joy" calendar, and today's message says, "There are those who suffer greatly, and yet, through the recognition that pain can be a thread in the pattern of God's weaving, find the way to a fundamental joy." I know I have found my way to that fundamental joy. And I move along a path with like-minded folks who are heading in the same direction. And that makes all the difference.

I am having a wonderful time on the newly established pastoral council. Tonight I attended the executive group meeting, two reps chosen from each of the four new groups that are a result of the Best Practices for Parishes study. We had lively, fun, interesting, joyful, constructive conversation and put some plans together that are going to make our parish even better than it already is. This is a great way to use my creativity and knowledge. And I can do the work part of it when I am rested. I love it.

A busy day coming up tomorrow, so I better wind up. Tea Room, Cora's birthday party, and a retreat with the larger Why Catholic community. A nationally known speaker will be here to talk about evangelization, what we are all called to do. Mario and I will be going. Then Saturday we have a Quest meeting and the girls are staying with us while the Dede Mom and Dad and boys fly to Charleston for soccer. I plan to have the girls help me with my chocolate chip cookies to take over to Judy's house Sunday, as her family is arriving Monday for her mom's memorial service on Tuesday, and will stay a few days. Everybody seems to like munching on those cookies!

Today I was really blessed. Judy took me to her mom's apartment and invited me to choose whatever dishes and decorative items I liked. I chose a couple of things, then she encouraged me to choose more. And lastly, she gave me a beautiful framed and matted print of a famous impressionist? painting, I believe called "Serenity". She paid handsomely for it at auction a few years back, then gave it to her mom when they moved and painted the walls coral so the picture just did not have the right colors to hang back in her house. So she gave it to me. I love it! What a friend I have. It is hanging in my living room above the couch. I am happy to have something new to look at.

Have a great weekend everyone.