Showing me her shoe on one of our walks to the park. She says HI, SHOE, PLEASE, and THANK YOU and I'm sure many more words I just didn't understand yet.
Pretty in pink. But she is not a fussy little girl. She likes to "chuck" things, as Chris calls it. We threw whiffle balls at/to each other every day, and she loved it.
I returned home yesterday from a week-long visit to Scottsdale, AZ, where Chris, Maria, and Makenna live. The weather was perfect with the exception of the wind kicking up when we were having lunch in a downtown outdoor cafe. So the tree and plant debris blew into our grilled cheese and fish tacos. Who cares! I have many stories to tell and photos to share, but for now I will just say how I did so enjoy the time I had with Makenna. Just her and me for a few days, getting to know each other. She has the same kind of personality Chris had as a child....a happy, on-the-move spirit with two speeds: stop and go. We played ball, took walks, read books, sang songs, went shopping, visited the puppy store and the playground. We chowed several times a day, and we laughed and laughed and laughed. I will do this again. I also enjoyed being with Chris and Maria. They were generous in treating me to several nice meals, and we had a meaningful Palm Sunday mass together. They are terrific parents to this little girl, and they treat each other well also. There are no words to express sufficiently how gratifying it is to see your adult child being a good spouse and parent, as well as a hard-worker. I am equally proud of both our children as they use their talents to do good things in the world. And both their spouses too. It just gives a parent a peaceful, easy feeling. So thank you Lord, for loaning me these children of yours. Thank you.
I have thought a lot about two women who have crossed my path in recent days. One is in our church and was at my table when the pastoral council group was working on a parish mission statement. As we conversed about various things, she shared that she was grateful that she had never been asked to carry any heavy crosses or burdens in her life. She said this after listening to a few others talk about their challenges and how their faith played a roll in keeping them hopeful. Well, what is amazing about this lady is that she is probably 70-75 years old, and she still volunteers in the PSR program as the 4th grade teacher. She has done this for many years, and she is pretty good at it. So God is using her well to help shape the faith lives of a bunch of 9 and 10 year olds.
The other lady has had more crosses to bear than just about anyone I can think of. I met her at a cancer support group I used to go to when I had no hair. She has had a double mastectomy and reconstructive surgery, a stroke, and now a broken foot. I gave her my walker from my hip replacement a couple years ago when she talked about her biggest challenge being getting her walker up and down the stairs in her house. My walker was stored in the basement, and I said to her, "Well, we can make that easier for you. One walker upstairs, and one downstairs!" She was so grateful. I saw her today with my walker. She had a couple of new pieces of apparatus attached to it, so I know it is her primary walker. She cannot use her hand at waist level. So there is a 'shelf' where she can rest it and still get some use of it to move the walker. She has a cast on her foot, and she had just been to the oncologist to get a check-up for "Thelma and Louise," as she calls her new breasts. Well this gal has some kind of spirit. I sat with her for almost an hour, even though I had much to do. But in that hour, I got MY spirit lifted.
I have learned to look for the heaven here on earth. I have found that it is all around me.
AS Easter approaches, I am focused on John 10:10. It says "I have come that you might have life, and that you might have it more abundantly." Our God thinks enough of us to have sent Someone so special that we might have life--abundantly, joyfully, completely, and victoriously. Claim that victory on Easter Sunday everyone! And enjoy the feast, wherever you are.
I will be with my family (Carrie, Tony, and their 4 kids and Chris, Maria, and Makenna), in St. Louis on Friday and Saturday, and with extended family in Alexander on Sunday. Back on the blog next week. Love you all. Happy Easter.
Our day began with mass in St. Paul, MO, with the Ewersmann family and Chris, Maria, and Makenna.
We said our goodbye and drove to Alexander for a good dinner followed by an Easter egg hunt.
Nolan gets a little help from Dad and Big Bro.
Looking for more eggs.
An Easter egg pinata....KIDS from youngest to oldest took their swings.
Cora busted it open.....
And one of the gang masterfully gathered her treasure!
The adult egg toss followed. Mario impressed all by playing in his suit.
Carefully, they begin.
Great form.
More great form.
Form doesn't count when the egg hits the tree.
Craig showing everyone how to toss an egg.
The winners.
No egg on their faces, just on their clothes. Nice effort though.
Mario entertaining with his card tricks.
Tony, look the other way....the sista is eating out of the bowl!
After three busy days on the road, Dad needs a nap.
