Two years since we said goodbye. It feels like yesterday and forever ago all at the same time. A friend posted this quote from St. Oscar Romero on social media and felt it was a accurate description for what I often feel when I shed tears about not having Astrid physically present with us.
We visited the cemetery tonight after dinner and brought flowers and mini cupcakes to celebrate our sweet little saint. Happy Birth Day, Astrid! We love and miss you so much!
12:20am on Palm Sunday 2022, my godmother and aunt, Deb, took her final breath here on earth and joined her loved ones in heaven – including our sweet Astrid.
My SIL was one of a handful of people who knew that my aunt was in her last days and had been praying for her and our family. After telling Bri of Deb’s passing, she shared the verse from Philippians that clearly God keeps putting in my life.
It’s the same verse we put on Astrid’s marker and that I wrote on our sanctuary floor not once, but twice.
Finally found a word that defines my frantic attempt to get ready before someone comes over. Several of my friends told me that they can relate.
Sunday night (7/19/20,) Franciscan University hosted a live stream conference called, Night of Hope. I missed out on the first part of the broadcast (due to not realizing that the times listed were EST.) However, when I did log on, I got to hear Sr. Miriam James Heidland, SOLT, answer a question about vulnerability with the LORD. (At 2:31:20 of the conference video – link above.) What she said could not have been more appropriate for what I’m working on by going to therapy. I feel her response can apply to vulnerability in my human relationships, not just my relationship with God and is a beautiful way to re-frame the difficult, sorrowful, things in life that I’ve experienced.
In case you can’t read my handwriting, here’s what I wrote down from her response.
“The sorrowful mysteries of our life never go away… Until they’re transformed, they don’t allow blessing, they transmit suffering on to other people.”
“Suffering that is not transformed, is transmitted.”
“Allow the LORD into these places.” “Invite the LORD into these places.”
From Fr. Joseph:
“You didn’t lose you baby, she is more with you than ever before. Now, she in turn is protecting you and interceding for you who have so generously given her life.
Emotions will come and go for a while. That is the true sign of love. Be kind to yourself.”
I’m going to file this under “Things I never imagined I’d hear my husband say.”
“That is applesauce, not mouthwash.”
Spoken to one of the Shecklets at lunch today.
“Mom, I love you. You’re my good mommy!” Told to me as I was helping him put on his jacket so he could go play in the backyard with his dad.