I am happy to note not only am I refreshed from our mini family vacation...I am spiritually feeling much better.
We took our kids to lots of Halloween Happenings-I started to get sad because of course I missed Dad again.
We took our kids to a hotel in Madison with a pool and waterslide, and had a relaxing and fun filled couple of days...I also spent some time mini golfing at the best mini golf course ever. The VITENSE Golfland-http://www.vitense.com/miniature.asp
My Dad would have loved this place. It was unbelievable! Indoor and outdoor mini golf, driving range, golf course,batting cages, a climbing wall, and more! What a scene!
My kids loved it. We took so many pictures.
I will ad some tomorrow probably. Just a riot. I wonder if my Dad has ever been there?
We did the indoor and outdoor mini golf course...we chose the Wisconsin Course-outdoor. It was great! The kids loved it so much-we went back a second day!
But, more importantly
First off, I received an email from on of my Dad's classmates Ken last week. This made my day, or week for that matter.
Ken reminded me that "Faith" is something that we have to believe in...if we were given answers to the unknown...then there really wouldn't be "Faith" anymore. He couldn't have been more right.
Thank you for taking the time out of your day, to take the time to read this blog, and to send me an email. That simple gesture meant a lot, and made me think a bit differently.
I went to Mass today-in fact, this was the first time I have been back-since my Dad has passed away. I know, I am not proud to admit this, it has been the longest I have gone without going to Mass, but like I said before-I was just having lots of doubts, sadness, and questions, and wasn't ready to accept what had occurred.
Although I am not sure I will ever be 100% okay with the fact that my Dad has passed away.
Today at Mass-I listened closely. It was almost like our Priest was speaking right too me. This Mass was just what I needed. I am not trying to sound all "Holy Roller" or anything, but I left having a great sense of Peace.
Here's what he said during the Homily...
Ready or not, some day it will all come to an end.
There will be no more sunrises, no minutes, hours or days.
All the things you collected, whether treasured or forgotten
will pass to someone else.
Your wealth, fame and temporal power will shrivel to irrelevance.
It will not matter what you owned or what you were owed.
Your grudges, resentments, frustrations
and jealousies will finally disappear.
So too, your hopes, ambitions, plans and to-do lists will expire.
The wins and losses that once seemed so important will fade away.
It won't matter where you came from
or what side of the tracks you lived on at the end.
It won't matter whether you were beautiful or brilliant.
Even your gender and skin color will be irrelevant.
So what will matter?
How will the value of your days be measured?
What will matter is not what you bought
but what you built, not what you got but what you gave.
What will matter is not your success
but your significance.
What will matter is not what you learned
but what you taught.
What will matter is every act of integrity,
compassion, courage, or sacrifice
that enriched, empowered or encouraged others
to emulate your example.
What will matter is not your competence
but your character.
What will matter is not how many people you knew,
but how many will feel a lasting loss when your gone.
What will matter is not your memories
but the memories that live in those who loved you.
What will matter is how long you will be remembered,
by whom and for what.
Living a life that matters doesn't happen by accident.
It's not a matter of circumstance but of choice.
Death is not the end, but a beginning of a new life. We should have Peace in knowing that some day, we will be with our loved ones again, and more importantly, we will be one with God. I was always taught this, but it just made sense when I heard it in Mass.
Sometimes, it takes a ton of bricks, I know :) but in any case, I am thankful I went to Mass today. I am glad I heard what I needed to hear. I even held back some tears as I listened.
I am not "healed" or "over it" by any means, but I am feeling more at peace now.
One other exciting note from the weekend...
Sam (my brother) has decided to go back to school! He started tech school but decided it wasn't for him, and went to the work force part way through-when after high school.
Dad, I know you had a hand in this somehow! Thanks! I know you are probably laughing and crying tears of joy.
Yea for a happy weekend!
No comments:
Post a Comment