Holy Week is upon us! As a Christian woman, I seem to arrive at this day each Lent filled with equal parts exhaustion and anticipation; exhaustion from what has been and anticipation about what is to come.
A few thoughts on what has been. It has been 35 days of sacrifice. As a Catholic Christian, I am called each Lent to look at areas of my life that need some fine tuning. When I figure out what areas I want to work on, I map out a plan to give something up or do something extra; make a change in order to grow closer to Jesus. It is safe to say that change is hard. Change of heart is harder. Without going into detail, I will share that I've been mildly successful in some areas, while in other areas, I have fallen woefully short. Thus, the exhaustion!
A few thoughts on what is to come. We call it the Triduum; the sacred three days. Though it spans three days, it is one single liturgy. On Holy Thursday we commemorate Jesus' institution of the Holy Eucharist at the mass of the Lord's Supper. We remember, we celebrate, we believe. Additionally at this mass, parishes receive the holy oils. These oils are used throughout the year in conferring the sacraments of baptism, confirmation, anointing of the sick, and holy orders (ordination). Also at mass on Holy Thursday we follow Christ's example of service when we have the opportunity to wash each others feet. Our tradition is rich with meaning, and Holy Thursday is one of my favorite celebrations of the church year.
Good Friday of the Lord's Passion follows. It is here we come face to face with the wages of our sin. We remember how our Savior endured unspeakable torture, the abandonment by his friends, and the humiliation of death on a cross all because of our sin. As I go forward to venerate the cross, I often have tears in my eyes...He gave His all for me. Good Friday is hard.
The Mass of the Resurrection of the Lord happens at the Easter Vigil. We are blessed to live now, at this time, when we know how the story ends! Jesus Christ lives! At the Vigil, we read from holy scripture and remember the history of our people and the faithfulness of our God. We sing psalms of praise and thanksgiving for our deliverance from darkness into light, from what was old to what is new, from death to new life. We welcome new members into the faith. We sing Alleluia!!! Praise God for God's gift of love, Jesus Christ, the Paschal Lamb, our Savior and Lord!
But it is still Palm Sunday. We must remember there can be no glory without lowliness, no exaltation without self-sacrifice, no life without death. And so we wait...
Sunday, March 25, 2018
Friday, March 16, 2018
Madness
Disclaimer: The following is not meant to be a personal attack on anyone who sells stuff, uses stuff, wears stuff, diffuses stuff, or eats food! :)
I am a huge fan of March Madness. The NCAA Basketball Tournament could not come at a better time of year for this Wisconsin girl who is longing for warmer weather! It is great entertainment while I am stuck inside for a few more weeks before spring really springs!
This post is not about March Madness. Rather, it is about another type of behavior, or trend, or fad that seems to be occurring with increased frequency. I've named it Madness because, in my humble opinion, it is!
I have tried to keep up with technology the last ten to fifteen years. After all, I have this blog, I make purchases online, the boards and committees I serve on utilize the internet for communication, and I stay connected to people via Facebook. In the interest of full disclosure, I do not have a twitter account, and I don't use Instagram.
Now for the madness on Facebook. Each time I open my Facebook account, I find more and more people posting about their "passion" which translated means "business." Back in the day, we called these ventures pyramid schemes. Pyramid schemes are illegal in many countries, including the United States. Today, the term used is Multi-Level Marketing or network marketing. Network marketing systems use independent salespeople (distributors) to sell consumer products. Several of my Facebook "friends" are independent salespeople.
Drink these greens, buy this pair of shoes, shop here, use this shampoo, diffuse this essential oil. I've got nothing against spinach, cute shoes, or clean hair. It just begs a couple questions from where I sit. Are the products really as good as the salespeople claim? Just because my neighbor's sister's niece says so, doesn't make it true. And she can refer me to an article touting the benefits of said product which was probably authored by the company that developed the product. I'd feel better about considering using a product if the referral came from an independent reviewer, thank you very much.
Would there be as many independent salespeople peddling consumer products if they had to actually leave the comfortable confines of their homes to sell? Let's face it, it is much easier to sit at a computer, create and then post a clever "ad" asking "friends" to consider purchasing an item than it is to go door to door in March in Wisconsin! It seems safe to conclude that one of the reasons network marketing has blossomed in recent years is because of the ease of access to consumers provided by social media platforms. Again, is the product that good or is it just able to be marketed with less difficulty?
Although there is more I could write here, I'll close with this thought. Probably the only way for me to stop the Facebook "madness" is to spend less time on Facebook. Thanks to Lent, that is something I have already begun to do. Less time online has given me more time to read and to write, two activities I really enjoy. I'm off to watch a little college basketball. That's a madness I'll consume!
I am a huge fan of March Madness. The NCAA Basketball Tournament could not come at a better time of year for this Wisconsin girl who is longing for warmer weather! It is great entertainment while I am stuck inside for a few more weeks before spring really springs!
This post is not about March Madness. Rather, it is about another type of behavior, or trend, or fad that seems to be occurring with increased frequency. I've named it Madness because, in my humble opinion, it is!
I have tried to keep up with technology the last ten to fifteen years. After all, I have this blog, I make purchases online, the boards and committees I serve on utilize the internet for communication, and I stay connected to people via Facebook. In the interest of full disclosure, I do not have a twitter account, and I don't use Instagram.
Now for the madness on Facebook. Each time I open my Facebook account, I find more and more people posting about their "passion" which translated means "business." Back in the day, we called these ventures pyramid schemes. Pyramid schemes are illegal in many countries, including the United States. Today, the term used is Multi-Level Marketing or network marketing. Network marketing systems use independent salespeople (distributors) to sell consumer products. Several of my Facebook "friends" are independent salespeople.
Drink these greens, buy this pair of shoes, shop here, use this shampoo, diffuse this essential oil. I've got nothing against spinach, cute shoes, or clean hair. It just begs a couple questions from where I sit. Are the products really as good as the salespeople claim? Just because my neighbor's sister's niece says so, doesn't make it true. And she can refer me to an article touting the benefits of said product which was probably authored by the company that developed the product. I'd feel better about considering using a product if the referral came from an independent reviewer, thank you very much.
Would there be as many independent salespeople peddling consumer products if they had to actually leave the comfortable confines of their homes to sell? Let's face it, it is much easier to sit at a computer, create and then post a clever "ad" asking "friends" to consider purchasing an item than it is to go door to door in March in Wisconsin! It seems safe to conclude that one of the reasons network marketing has blossomed in recent years is because of the ease of access to consumers provided by social media platforms. Again, is the product that good or is it just able to be marketed with less difficulty?
Although there is more I could write here, I'll close with this thought. Probably the only way for me to stop the Facebook "madness" is to spend less time on Facebook. Thanks to Lent, that is something I have already begun to do. Less time online has given me more time to read and to write, two activities I really enjoy. I'm off to watch a little college basketball. That's a madness I'll consume!
Wednesday, March 7, 2018
On Being a Grandma
It is hard to believe that our first grandchild was born five years ago today. In other words, today is the fifth anniversary of my grand-motherhood. Humor me as I reflect on this amazing role.
Being a grandma is a gift; quite possibly the sweetest gift ever. Grandchildren are precious human beings who immediately capture your heart. Their possession of your heart is different from the way your own children occupy that space. I believe the difference has to do with responsibility.
When your child is born, you realize very quickly in sort of an ominous way that the buck stops with you. You and your husband are responsible for a life; for all of it--the nurturing, the providing, the loving, the disciplining, the forgiving, for the totality of training up a child! Wow! Makes me wonder how we did it (so far)!
When a grandchild is born, some amazing things happen. You see your child in the role of parent, and the pride you feel and the love you have for your child grows immeasurably. And when you hold your grandchild, there is a connection to that flesh of your flesh that is indescribable. Your heart connects to the heart of that little person in a profound way. She has done nothing, but be born, yet she is loved. And my only responsibility as grandma is to simply love! Such a deal! Such a gift!
Since our first grand-daughter arrived, we have been blessed with four more grandchildren, including twins who share today's birth date! God's sense of humor is clear to me here...5 grandchildren, but only three birth dates to remember. Thank you, Lord! :)
I am grateful, I am blessed, I am grandma!
"Becoming a grandmother is wonderful. One moment you're just a mother. The next you're all-wise and prehistoric." ~Pam Brown
Being a grandma is a gift; quite possibly the sweetest gift ever. Grandchildren are precious human beings who immediately capture your heart. Their possession of your heart is different from the way your own children occupy that space. I believe the difference has to do with responsibility.
When your child is born, you realize very quickly in sort of an ominous way that the buck stops with you. You and your husband are responsible for a life; for all of it--the nurturing, the providing, the loving, the disciplining, the forgiving, for the totality of training up a child! Wow! Makes me wonder how we did it (so far)!
When a grandchild is born, some amazing things happen. You see your child in the role of parent, and the pride you feel and the love you have for your child grows immeasurably. And when you hold your grandchild, there is a connection to that flesh of your flesh that is indescribable. Your heart connects to the heart of that little person in a profound way. She has done nothing, but be born, yet she is loved. And my only responsibility as grandma is to simply love! Such a deal! Such a gift!
Since our first grand-daughter arrived, we have been blessed with four more grandchildren, including twins who share today's birth date! God's sense of humor is clear to me here...5 grandchildren, but only three birth dates to remember. Thank you, Lord! :)
I am grateful, I am blessed, I am grandma!
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| Thanksgiving 2017 |
"Becoming a grandmother is wonderful. One moment you're just a mother. The next you're all-wise and prehistoric." ~Pam Brown
Wednesday, March 8, 2017
Honoring mothers at home
While driving to my mom's apartment this morning, I was listening to talk radio. The topic was the 'Day without a Woman' protests happening around the country today. I admit I haven't paid much attention.
We are blessed to live in a country which allows free speech, the right to assemble, and the right to protest. I don't judge anyone for speaking freely, assembling, and protesting. I couldn't help but wonder though, what about moms on this 'Day without a Woman?' There probably weren't many, if any, stay at home moms who 'walked off' their jobs today. They couldn't. Those precious cherubs in their charge need them. Who would be there to change a diaper, read a book, rock them, talk to them, teach them, love them? This commercial came to mind (I'm not endorsing NyQuil; the commercial just says it all):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PO5GSe7bH-c
Moms don't get to walk off the job for any reason. That's right. Mom's don't get to stop being moms...ever...period. And moms wouldn't want it any other way. When will society recognize the value of motherhood? When will we recognize the vital role a mom at home plays in the nurturing and formation of the next generation?
A friend recently told me of her neighbor's daughter who is struggling because she wants to quit her job to stay home with her 8 month old son. Her in-laws are putting pressure on her to stay at her job. Their reasoning? She will lose a million dollars in wages over her lifetime if she stops working. Just because there isn't a paycheck for wiping snotty noses or picking up blocks for the hundredth time, that doesn't mean the responsibilities of being a mother have no value! The days and years a mom spends at home raising her young children are priceless.
There is plenty of time to go back to work and contribute financially to your family's well-being once your children are in school. If you are able to make your family budget work and you are a mom who wants to stay home to raise your young children, find a way to make it happen. You won't regret it.
We are blessed to live in a country which allows free speech, the right to assemble, and the right to protest. I don't judge anyone for speaking freely, assembling, and protesting. I couldn't help but wonder though, what about moms on this 'Day without a Woman?' There probably weren't many, if any, stay at home moms who 'walked off' their jobs today. They couldn't. Those precious cherubs in their charge need them. Who would be there to change a diaper, read a book, rock them, talk to them, teach them, love them? This commercial came to mind (I'm not endorsing NyQuil; the commercial just says it all):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PO5GSe7bH-c
Moms don't get to walk off the job for any reason. That's right. Mom's don't get to stop being moms...ever...period. And moms wouldn't want it any other way. When will society recognize the value of motherhood? When will we recognize the vital role a mom at home plays in the nurturing and formation of the next generation?
A friend recently told me of her neighbor's daughter who is struggling because she wants to quit her job to stay home with her 8 month old son. Her in-laws are putting pressure on her to stay at her job. Their reasoning? She will lose a million dollars in wages over her lifetime if she stops working. Just because there isn't a paycheck for wiping snotty noses or picking up blocks for the hundredth time, that doesn't mean the responsibilities of being a mother have no value! The days and years a mom spends at home raising her young children are priceless.
There is plenty of time to go back to work and contribute financially to your family's well-being once your children are in school. If you are able to make your family budget work and you are a mom who wants to stay home to raise your young children, find a way to make it happen. You won't regret it.
Monday, October 17, 2016
Opponent or Enemy?
There is always risk when I sit down, stare at the blank page, and begin to type. I feel a bit more angst than usual because the subject I want to write about is touchy at best and disgusting at worst! If there was some way to make this eight letter word smaller here, I would do it. But since there isn't, I'll just get it out there. Politics! I'm gonna write about politics. There it is. You can choose to quit reading if you want, and I will not take offense. The good Lord knows there has been a lot written and said about the 2016 Election. If you care to read further, I hope you find something new to think about...and pray about.
In the mid 1980's, I had the privilege of helping coach the Kimberly High School girls varsity basketball team. The head coach at the time was Lee Levknecht. His first year as the girls coach, 1978-1979, had been my senior year of high school. The formation I received from Coach Levknecht, both when I played for him and when I coached next to him, stays with me to this day.
Several years after he finished coaching in Kimberly, I saw him at an alumni basketball tournament. We started talking and catching up. As often happens with the important people in my life, our conversation did not remain just surface small talk. Coach and I were chatting about kids and competition. I don't recall his exact words, but I won't forget the essence of what he said. "I don't know when it happened Mary, but at some point it seems, we went from seeing the other team as our opponent to seeing them as our enemy. Kids want to beat the competition because they hate them. We need to get back to a healthy sense of competition." Coach Levknecht seemed puzzled by this realization and I heard concern in his voice, for good reason.
Fast forward to 2016. We find ourselves nearing the end of what seems like one of the longest election seasons in recent memory. I don't think I'm risking my good name by stating that the two presidential candidates have long ago abandoned the idea of seeing the other as a worthy opponent, and instead, have approached each other as enemies. There has been so much anger, vitriol, character assassination, and lack of proper decorum between the two, that the prospect of voting for either one of them seems ridiculous. There is no turning back, though. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, one or the other will soon become the 45 President of these United States of America. And then what? I wonder what will happen on November 9 when the votes are counted?
I hope and pray we wake up and realize that we are all on the same team, in the same boat; that while we may have opposing views about how to solve the big problems in this country, we are not enemies.
I believe the vast majority of people live in the middle. And what do I mean by 'live in the middle?' Most of us have much more in common than our political party platforms would ever allow us to believe. I am guessing most of us want clean water, clean air, a clean planet for generations to come. We just may differ in our ideas about how to achieve it. Most Americans want quality education, state of the art medical care, adequate employment opportunities, fair wages, safe streets, religious freedom; a chance at life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Again, the means to achieve these standards may be different, but the desire for them is strong, true, and dare I say, unifying? Let's get behind that, shall we? Let's get behind the idea that with a little give and take, some compromise, and civil conversation, unity is not only achievable, but it is sustainable. Let's applaud healthy competition among opponents and let's stop viewing people who want what we want, folks who live in the middle where we live, as our enemies.
"Do I not destroy my enemies when I make them my friends?"
~ Abraham Lincoln
"Whenever you are confronted with an opponent, conquer him with love."
~Mahatma Gandhi
In the mid 1980's, I had the privilege of helping coach the Kimberly High School girls varsity basketball team. The head coach at the time was Lee Levknecht. His first year as the girls coach, 1978-1979, had been my senior year of high school. The formation I received from Coach Levknecht, both when I played for him and when I coached next to him, stays with me to this day.
Several years after he finished coaching in Kimberly, I saw him at an alumni basketball tournament. We started talking and catching up. As often happens with the important people in my life, our conversation did not remain just surface small talk. Coach and I were chatting about kids and competition. I don't recall his exact words, but I won't forget the essence of what he said. "I don't know when it happened Mary, but at some point it seems, we went from seeing the other team as our opponent to seeing them as our enemy. Kids want to beat the competition because they hate them. We need to get back to a healthy sense of competition." Coach Levknecht seemed puzzled by this realization and I heard concern in his voice, for good reason.
Fast forward to 2016. We find ourselves nearing the end of what seems like one of the longest election seasons in recent memory. I don't think I'm risking my good name by stating that the two presidential candidates have long ago abandoned the idea of seeing the other as a worthy opponent, and instead, have approached each other as enemies. There has been so much anger, vitriol, character assassination, and lack of proper decorum between the two, that the prospect of voting for either one of them seems ridiculous. There is no turning back, though. Barring any unforeseen circumstances, one or the other will soon become the 45 President of these United States of America. And then what? I wonder what will happen on November 9 when the votes are counted?
I hope and pray we wake up and realize that we are all on the same team, in the same boat; that while we may have opposing views about how to solve the big problems in this country, we are not enemies.
I believe the vast majority of people live in the middle. And what do I mean by 'live in the middle?' Most of us have much more in common than our political party platforms would ever allow us to believe. I am guessing most of us want clean water, clean air, a clean planet for generations to come. We just may differ in our ideas about how to achieve it. Most Americans want quality education, state of the art medical care, adequate employment opportunities, fair wages, safe streets, religious freedom; a chance at life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness. Again, the means to achieve these standards may be different, but the desire for them is strong, true, and dare I say, unifying? Let's get behind that, shall we? Let's get behind the idea that with a little give and take, some compromise, and civil conversation, unity is not only achievable, but it is sustainable. Let's applaud healthy competition among opponents and let's stop viewing people who want what we want, folks who live in the middle where we live, as our enemies.
"Do I not destroy my enemies when I make them my friends?"
~ Abraham Lincoln
"Whenever you are confronted with an opponent, conquer him with love."
~Mahatma Gandhi
Monday, May 30, 2016
Memorial Day
I watched the National Memorial Day Concert on public television last evening. It has become a tradition for me. My dad happened upon it several years ago and I remember watching it with him over the years. The broadcast moves me. It is a combination of patriotic music, stories of heroism, bravery, and sacrifice across all wars, and it is a salute to the men and women who have served and continue to serve our great country. It takes place on the lawn of the White House.
Last night's program aired in spite of rainy conditions. Because of the weather, the crowd on the lawn was quite a bit smaller than in years past, but the stories and sounds were no less poignant. Gary Sinise narrated the story of one Jack Farley. Jack is a Vietnam veteran who lost his left leg above the knee. You can read more about him at this link https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_J._Farley,_III
Today especially, and most any other day I stop to really think about the young men and women who fought and died to preserve our way of life, I thank God for their self-sacrifice.
It is with a grateful heart that I will go about my day, remembering those who served, remembering those who gave their lives to preserve our freedom, and remembering those who continue to serve. I pray God bless our world; that His truth may indeed, march on! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSiVjlknuSw
Happy Memorial Day!
Last night's program aired in spite of rainy conditions. Because of the weather, the crowd on the lawn was quite a bit smaller than in years past, but the stories and sounds were no less poignant. Gary Sinise narrated the story of one Jack Farley. Jack is a Vietnam veteran who lost his left leg above the knee. You can read more about him at this link https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/John_J._Farley,_III
Today especially, and most any other day I stop to really think about the young men and women who fought and died to preserve our way of life, I thank God for their self-sacrifice.
It is with a grateful heart that I will go about my day, remembering those who served, remembering those who gave their lives to preserve our freedom, and remembering those who continue to serve. I pray God bless our world; that His truth may indeed, march on! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QSiVjlknuSw
Happy Memorial Day!
Monday, April 4, 2016
I'm Still Alive!
It's been six months since last I published here, give or take a few days, so I thought I'd get back to it. I'm rusty and have avoided sitting down to this blank screen because I'm a little afraid that I won't be able to write well enough to actually hit the 'publish' button when I'm finished. My fingers are crossed, figuratively, and here I go!
To say a lot has happened since last September would be an understatement. I never intended this blog to be a diary of my life, but since it's been quite awhile since my last post, I'll list a few highlights and perhaps you'll understand why my fear of being too rusty isn't the only reason I've been away.
~Luke and Bailey came to live with us in mid-July. They started new jobs here in the Valley and purchased a home in Kimberly. It was a fixer-upper. Mark and I helped them with lots of the 'fixer-uppering'--painting, plumbing, cleaning, etc. A professional sanded and refinished beautiful hardwood which had been hiding under the living room carpet. Luke and Bailey moved into their first home in mid-October.
~It wasn't long after the move that Luke and Bailey announced they were expecting a baby, scheduled to arrive on April 12, 2016! We were over the moon for them, as they had suffered the loss of their first baby due to a miscarriage last spring. On December 7, they brought over the ultrasound pictures. Watch the video below to see our reaction to the pictures!
~We began a complete kitchen renovation in late August of 2015 and our new granite counter-top was put in on September 30. We lived five and a half weeks without a kitchen--no sink, no stove/oven, no cabinets...no kitchen! I never thought I'd hear myself say, "I'm really sick of eating out," but after about two weeks of no kitchen, that is exactly what I said! Luke and Bailey were living with us throughout the renovation and they were troopers. We couldn't be more pleased with the outcome! Check it out...I feel like I'm living in a HGTV kitchen every day!
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| Kitchen work area--before |
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| Before |
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| Refrigerator wall before |
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| Peninsula before |
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| One more before photo |
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| New island with pendant lights |
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| New island with seating for five |
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| No more peninsula-I love my new kitchen! |
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| Refrigerator wall with seed glass cupboard |
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| A larger look-through to the family room! |
~At the end of January, Mark and I flew to New Bern, North Carolina for what is probably the last time. Our son-in-law, Nick, finished his four year active duty commitment to the United States Marine Corps, and he elected to close the book on his military service. Nick will remain in the inactive reserves for the the next four years. Leah, Miriam, Lyla and I flew home, while Nick and Mark drove the 20 hours from N.C. to Milwaukee; all their earthly possessions in a U-haul truck and the family minivan. We were very relieved to see the boys pull into the neighborhood in Milwaukee!
~Now for more about the babies. Late in January, Bailey experienced signs of early labor. She was hospitalized for two days and placed on bed rest for the remainder of her pregnancy. She was 27 weeks along the day she was discharged from the hospital. In the early morning hours of March 7, I got a text message from Luke. Bailey's water broke and they were heading to the hospital. At 12:23 p.m. and 12:43 p.m. on Monday March 7, our beautiful grandsons were born. Leo and Max have spent the first four weeks of their lives in the NICU. Max came home today, praise the Lord. Leo remains in the hospital. Hopefully, it won't be long and this beautiful family of four can be together at home! Luke and Bailey are already awesome parents!
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| Leo in blue, Max looking at dad! |
My life has been busy these past several months, and I am a blessed woman. In spite of the busyness (is that a word?), I hope to write more often here. No promises, but I've got some ideas running around my head that I need to give voice to. Oh yes, I'm still alive! :)
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