Come, Holy Spirit, fill the hearts of your faithful and enkindle in them the fire of your love.
Lead: Send forth your Spirit and they shall be created.
Response: And you shall renew the face of the earth.
Let us pray. O God, who by the light of the Holy Spirit, did instruct the hearts of the faithful, grant us in the same Spirit to be truly wise and ever to rejoice in His consolation. Through Christ our Lord. Amen.
** ***
Today is the feast of Our Lady of Sorrows.
Before 2023, I never knew about the feast of the Exaltation of the Holy Cross( Sept 14) since it was over shadowed by today's feast for me.
Surprisingly, perhaps also because it was always Mom's birthday for me.
It is just as well a good thing since we are registered parishioners of Holy Cross Parish in 252 Dubuc st. which is a good 20 minute car ride away although we have nearby churches of like 5 minute distances.
It is just like when we were still in Doha, where it took as more than 20 minutes to get to the religious complex where all the churches are built.
I do miss my mom, but with all the cares of the day, I am not able to linger in the sadness too much. Just as well.
Instead, I will make the attempt of remembering the good things about my mom.
1. She calls me her Anna Banana.
2. She cuts my hair in an apple-look cut which is almost like the bob style now.
3. She never ever was cross to me even if she had to run after me around the formal dinning table so she could help me with my stuck earrings in my bloodied ear lobe.
4. She would lovingly prepare my banana with milk and sugar slices.
5.She did not make any negative or positive comment on my boyfriends.
6. She gently nudge me to tie the knot with Ruel so she could still attend my wedding which she was not able to since the first wedding date we were considering was supposed to be her birthdate to the next life...January 28,2001.
7.She was a very good daughter to her mom and a good sister to her siblings.
8.She did a lot of Mother Mary posture in her later life, gently and silently accepting things beyond her control.
9.She was not perfect, but there were many perfect moments that I will never forget especially when she had to be a loyal wife to my dad despite the strains she experienced.
10. She passed on with all of us around her and special good friends and sibling visiting her for the last time. She was covered in our love and presence.
I will never forget the look of love in her eyes when I was distraught and distressed while I was her watch for her last night with us.
With one look she sent me the positive hope, all will be well after a period of testing and challenge.
As life is and will always be...a series of tests.
May we have the grace to remain victorious in Jesus and with Mama Mary as our guide and safe harbor.
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