Today, All Saints Day is a special Holy Day along with All Souls Day tomorrow. Each year on this weekend in church we will light a candle in memory of those people in our parish who have died in the past year. Tommy was playing hockey out of town last year so I didn't get to go to good ole St. Elizabeth's but I did go to St. Francis Parish in Ann Arbor and I thought it was so neat how their remembrance ritual was they sang the Litany of the Saints but put the deceased persons name in. It was beautiful and would be nearly impossible in our parish as we only lost about a dozen people that parish had lost about 50, it was a huge church. But I digress...
I will always tear up during this particular mass as I'm sure many others do too. This year was a no candle for me year and I'm so thankful. Every year I will think, "please Lord don't ever make me witness the lighting of a candle for one or more of my dear children," I also think "someday Lord I will be lighting a candle for my dear Dad." "Who gets the first candle, Joe or myself?" Sounds agonizing doesn't it?
What an amazing gift life is, the human capacity for love is nothing short of amazing. It can almost take my breath away when I stop for a moment and just think about the love I feel for my family, most notably my husband and children. Each day is a gift in this journey we call life and thankfully we don't have to journey alone. Not every day is easy in fact some are devastatingly difficult. Today at mass was generally easy for me, the church member who had two candles of remembrance lit today for her husband and her Dad I'm sure had a much sadder experience. Cherish the days you have together.
In closing, I'll just say:
Please Lord, don't let there be a candle for a loved one next year.
Thank you Lord, for not having a candle for a loved one this year.
Oops Lord, I still falter daily; I'm sorry.
Wow Lord, what an amazing family I have been blessed with.
Thanks again.
Please Lord, don't let there be a candle for a loved one next year.
Thank you Lord, for not having a candle for a loved one this year.
Oops Lord, I still falter daily; I'm sorry.
Wow Lord, what an amazing family I have been blessed with.
Thanks again.
8 comments:
You truly have a gift with words Dawn - such a powerful entry and it is a prayer that many are saying. I too say many prayers of thanksgiving for not only my husband, sons, etc, but for my faith community family. Can't imagine this journey toward the new and eternal Jerusalem without them.
Thanks Julie, for the props. Fr. Bill's talks always leave me thinking that's for sure. And yes thankfully we do have a great faith community that helps us along the way too. I need to remember to pray for them too. :)
What a beautiful post Dawn
Thanks, Dawn... this brought me to tears, but I needed to hear these thoughts! Our long-time very much loved secretary at school here just passed away unexpectedly last night. We are all saddened,but this post gave me some comfort. Being that it is All Souls' Day helps give me some perspective...
Thanks Deb :)
Ellen - I am so so sorry. What sad news. I'm glad I could help you in a little way. Your friend will be in my thoughts and prayers tonight.
Amen, sister!!
Amy - Thanks!
Dawn all I can say is you are a wonderful person!
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