Visitations

First things first:

Happy Birthday, Sarah!

I know that you complain (tongue-in-cheek) about this being the “Big 3-0” and you have spent the last year “mourning” your twenties, but to me you’re still just a baby.  I wonder where the years have gone, too, but I don’t lament their passing.  Rather, I rejoice in your accomplishments.  Your Mom and I are so proud of you!  I thank God every day for bringing you into our lives.

VISITATIONS I:

One of the downsides of my job is that (for the past year or so) I have had to spend time away from the family for a week at a time.  I usually attend the early Mass on Sunday. Then I head over to Mom’s apartment where we have a Communion Service and she can receive our Lord in the Holy Eucharist.  We will spend some time discussing the readings for the day and catch up on the family “gossip” for the previous week before I go get any groceries she may need. 

Last week, she said “You know, it isn’t necessary for you to come every week—you’re running yourself ragged.”  I’ve thought about that all week.  In fact, I don’t know what I would do if I didn’t visit her every week. Knowing the joy she gets out of the Eucharist is the first and foremost reason I visit.  The 2^nd—and equally important—reason is the 4^th Commandment; Honor thy father and thy mother.  I can’t think of any better way to honor her than by following the example she has set for me my entire life.

VISITATIONS II:

The other downside to my work schedule is that sometimes my family has made weekend plans that are pretty much impossible for me to participate in.  Many times I have to work five-and-a-half days a week, so I don’t get home until late afternoon on Saturday.  So I usually get about 3 or 4 hours with them before we go to bed, then my Sunday (above) begins. 

Depending on weather and my exhaustion level, I will head back to my work location anywhere from 2pm to 6pm.  I’m blessed for whatever time I do get with them.  I would never expect them to put their plans on hold for my erratic work schedule.

So I wasn't upset that this weekend will be a little different.  While I will still see Mom on Sunday, I won’t see Marilyn, Alicia or Lily at all this weekend because they all went up to the family cabin to help Sarah celebrate her thirtieth birthday (see above).

Instead, I was inspired by the Holy Spirit to use the time I would normally take to rush home to see them and took the long way home to do some spiritual works of mercy that I have been neglecting.

My first stop was the San Joaquin Valley National Cemetery to visit and pray at the graves of my father-in-law, an uncle and aunt and a friend from our parish who died a little over a year ago.

It was a beautiful day at the site.  The sun was shining, the weather was temperate, and the mood was almost idyllic.  I visited each of the gravesites, said some prayers for each of them in particular then a general prayer for all of the souls buried there.  I was actually a little sad to leave, quite adifference in attitude from when I was a child.

I still had a couple of hours of daylight left—certainly enough time to cross the valley again and stop at the cemetery where my brother Tom and his son Tommy are buried and pray for them. 

I’m so glad that I listened to the Holy Spirit today. It’s hard to explain why I feel so confident of Jesus’ Divine Mercy when I visit the departed in cemeteries—so I won’t try—but the feeling is so very strong I had to share it today.