A part of kindness consists in loving people more than they deserve.
— Joseph Joubert
Where I grew up, a good old fashioned Catholic wake was the norm. For those of you who aren’t familiar with the tradition, a wake usually consisted of the presence of the casket in a viewing room; a kneeler in front of the casket so prayers could be said, a short conversation of condolence with family members and a Rosary led by a priest. If the person hadn’t died in an awful accident leaving them unfit to be seen, the casket was open.
I’m sure that this tradition probably evolved from the older tradition of Continue reading » Healing Kindness
Photo credit: © 2010 BouncebackCafe.com
Originally published on December 7, 2010.
The existence of forgetting has never been proved: We only know that some things don’t come to mind when we want them.
— Friedrich Nietzsche
While December is a joyous holiday season, for Catholics, November is the month of remembrance. It starts with All Saints Day on the 1st and All Souls’ Day on the 2nd. All Saints Day is when we remember all those who the Catholic Church has recognized as being holy. All Souls Day is for remembering everyone else who has died.
In a previous post I described how I use the Jewish tradition of Yahrzeit to remember my family and friends who have died. I learned about this tradition from Continue reading » Thanks for the Memories
Silent gratitude isn’t much use to anyone.
— G.B. Stern
The end of the year is such a rush with the holiday madness and business deadlines combined. It’s easy to get lost in all the busyness.
In my family, because we’ve all scattered to the winds, getting together for the holidays necessitates at least one full day allocated to travel to the festivities which just adds to the general craziness and the sense that there’s not enough time.
By the time we get to the New Year, I’m ready to get a cup of hot cocoa, a blanket, a good book, an animal to keep me company, and just Continue reading » Goodbye to 2011
I am thankful for laughter, except when milk comes out of my nose.
— Woody Allen
Do you ever find it difficult to be grateful? I do. Despite the fact that I know that I have much to be grateful for, I manage to feel disgruntled much of the time. This is unfortunate because one of the practices that consistently results in feeling better is gratitude.
I find it interesting that we call it the practice of gratitude. It reminds me of practicing law, or practicing medicine or practicing dentistry. We often talk about how the people in those professions Continue reading » Glad to Be Me
When our perils are past, shall our gratitude sleep?
— George Canning
Hard times change our view of the world. When we struggle with the very same things that we judged others for, we quickly learn that the world is made up of shades of gray.
When I was younger, I was quick with the opinion and judgment. I knew what was true. For a very long time – probably way too long – I believed that the government was made up of people who were dedicated to service and crooked politicians were the exception. (Do NOT ask me how I could have believed that growing up in Chicago where the dead won the election for JFK.) Priests were Continue reading » Shades of Gray
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