Prison Parties

Our 8 year old granddaughter, has a very enquiring mind, and wanted to talk about prisons for some reason. Among other questions, she wanted to know was what happens if you are in prison and it's your birthday, do you get a party? She was horrified when we told her no. We defended the mean attitude of the prison authorities, "You have done something wrong, you are being punished, you're not there to have a good time." She conceded that but obviously thought it was unthinkable cruelty "But still...it IS your birthday.'

We advised keeping out of prison. I think she will...now she knows the awful facts!

Glory Days

It is supposed to be well into autumn here, but instead we've had the most beautiful weather; warm, but not too hot, blue skies, sunny and still. Perfect weather to reflect the glorious joy in our hearts.

Alleluia! He is risen indeed!

Garden grace

Ar church I was asked to go on the roster for laundering the altar linen. Last week was my first experience. A big responsibility!

The instructions say "Do not pour the wash water down the drain, throw it on your garden. God will bless the garden for sure." As it contained detergent my husband was not keen for me to pour it on his newly planted winter veges so instead it was deposited on the rather raggy front lawn. I am expecting great things!

A Great Gift.

My dearest friend is 80 today. We first met not long after my family arrived in NZ and she introduced me into the hidden customs of Kiwi life. One custom she taught me was that when you visit a friend you never go to the front door, you go to the back door. Only strangers go to the front door. She also taught me that when you are asked to 'bring a plate' to a social event, you are expected to put something tasty ON the plate!

M. and I hit it off straight away. I was in my mid thirties and she was in her early 40s when we met. Both of us had 3 children, and we were both very family and Catholic minded. Over the years we have shared many joys but some very traumatic times. We've laughed and cried together, and we can talk for hours. We are very different in temperament; she is very calm, faithful, seldom questions but accepts people and situations as they are. I am very impulsive, analytical and emotional.

I can't believe she's 80, a very fit and active 80 although she has had a lot of illness in her life. But she's always positive about her health. I've threatened that on her tombstone I'll put "I'm a bit better today" which is what she always says when she's ill!

Happy 80th birthday M. I thank God daily that He brought us together. A best friend is one of God's greatest gifts.

Chasing Rainbows.

Two of my adult grandchildren are off to see 'the world' in a way that Kiwi kids seem to need to do (we are such a small country). My granddaugher asked me if I had never felt the need to travel and see strange and exotic places like India or Africa. Well, I had moved from England to New Zealand which was a particularly long and exotic move but no, I explained how feel no urge to travel and that I actually enjoy ordinary, mundane life. She thought that was strange, she has spent several months in China, teaching English and loved the different culture, and was keen to experience many more.
I find it hard to explain how the wonder of ordinary everyday living leaves me feeling happy and fulfilled, especially when one is serving Almighty God to the best of one's ability.
I also didn't say that I was married with 2 children at her age, and that the joy and awe of giving birth, and raising my children was far more challenging and infinitely more rewarding than looking at how and where other people live.
I wish them well in their travels but in my heart of hearts I think they are searching for rainbows, and the rainbow is probably nearer than they know!

The Annunciation

At Mass this morning we celebrated the Annunciation. I love this first joyful mystery, and think about it often. I wonder what Mary was doing when the Angel appeared, was she asleep or out walking or what. What amazing trust she must have to accept God's will that she, an unmarried woman, should bear a child, knowing that the penalty for it in her culture was death by stoning!

As far as we know she only asked one question and it wasn't the one most women would ask like "Who's going to protect me?" or "What shall I tell my Mum and Dad?" She just trusted God totally.

One of the prayers I like to say in the morning is "Most Sacred Heart of Jesus I place all my trust in you." and as I lit the white candle this morning and said it I thought of our Blessed Mother and prayed that I will trust Him utterly as she did.

St Joseph

St Joseph has always been special to me because I've been praying to him for my husband's conversion for over 50 years! I still pray to him and trust him to answer my prayers...one day.

When I was teaching I always taught the children this song about St Joseph which I found in an old hymn book. I can only remember the first verse and chorus and I can't even find the rest on google!

St Joseph was a happy man and he worked hard and well,
With saw and plane and nails and wood he made good things to sell.

You'd hear him singing
And his hammer ringing
For St Joseph was a happy man!

It has a happy tune as well.