Time to visit St. Jude… The Universe at work!

COVID continues to rage on and as it does, people are getting sick and seclusion / mental illness is at an all time high. As this is happening, we need to remember to “reach out” to people, check on them.

I say this, because we had four family members die in the past two years, three from COVID. It happened suddenly. As we are getting older, when passings happen, we reflect on our own lives.

The reason I visited St. Jude this week was because of two SURPRISE phone calls.

The FIRST phone call was from a lady whom I talk to off and on. She called to tell me she was at doctor, had blood work done, her breast cancer might be back. OH NO! Time to pray, for this we need St. Jude!

The SECOND phone call was from an older woman, 93, that I’ve known for 35 years. Right before COVID lockdown, her husband died. Suddenly, she sold her house and moved into an Assisted Living place. Imagine that – your husband dies, your world is turned upside down, in your grief COVID strikes and in a new facility you’re told to quarantine to your room. Being elderly, you don’t know what is going on.

Back to the phone call. In November, I tried getting a hold of this lady for Thanksgiving. She wasn’t answering her phone. The Receptionist kept giving me the runaround. Always an excuse on why she was not in room, could not take call and so on. So, I gave up. I’m a friend, not a relative, so no rights. In December, I tried again, wanting to wish her a Merry Christmas — same issues.

Well – the other night she called me. She was a bit incoherent, but gave me the number of another person. Told me to call the person, that person would explain HER situation. Turns out she has been diagnosed with slight dementia and was in the Hospital for a urinary tract infection.

So… the Universe had her reach out to me. Interesting, right!

At least I know her status. I’ve tried calling, again, impossible to get a hold of her, but THIS time her answering machine was on, so I left a message.

So, I went to visit St. Jude. It’s always spiritual to do that. I pass this on to YOU, because another person out there might feel the need for higher prayer. I wish you all well.

NOVENA PRAYERS TO ST. JUDE SHOULD YOU NEED THEM….

I also lit a candle, if you need any special prayers, the candle is lit.

Wishing you well, stay healthy and strong!

A good friend gives a Prayer Box

2A9C2534-817B-44BC-BBA8-3EF0B421C7ACIn life, we all go through challenges. Even when we strive for positivity, we are not immune to feeling angry, tired, frustrated, etc. A few years ago, I had been laid off my job. I was trying to stay positive and see the silver lining in the whole ordeal, but it was tough.

One day when the tears were flowing and I was questioning, “why do I have to go through this again!?!” A friend called and asked me out for lunch. I was not in the mood for lunch. I was on a tight budget with no job, so I didn’t want to spend money on lunch. I asked if we could compromise and meet for coffee instead.

A happy, “no problem,” was the answer. I made a joke and told my friend, “YOU DO KNOW, I am not in the best of spirits, right???”

She chuckled and said, “Even when you are down, you can still make a joke.”

True, I am lucky that growing up, my mother never allowed us to sulk or stay unhappy. She taught us to “immediately” turn a bad moment into a happy moment. It takes a bit of practice, but I realized early on that we are in charge of the direction our thoughts or mood go in. Focus on negativity, be angry all day, focus on the sweet smelling roses, smile and be happy all day. We decide! We choose to either be Pooh Bear or Eeyore all day! That is how I explained it to my daughters. This was a no brainer, we preferred to be “Pooh Bear,” who was always cute, happy and funny.

Anyhow, back to my coffee date. As we were drinking our coffee, my friend said she had a gift for me. I immediately felt guilty accepting it, because I felt like it must be a gift that said, “I feel sorry for you.” So, I forced myself not to be mean and say, “You shouldn’t have,” instead, I graciously accepted it wondering what it could be.

8A1F73DD-4D53-41E3-B358-FED322689BB1Well, I got quite a surprise, because in the cute packaging was a “Prayer Box.” I would never have expected something like this. Even better was when I opened the prayer box and read the nice rhyming sentence! I couldn’t help smiling.

As I read that sentence a sense of relief came over me. My stressed shoulders relaxed, I smiled and felt a sense of freedom. Give my worries to someone else, what a great concept.

So, imagine my surprise when I happened to open a box in the closet yesterday and there was my Prayer Box! As I am job searching again, I got the BIGGEST SMILE!

Prayer Box to the rescue!

Statue in honor of Firemen and Policemen

FullSizeRender 6I was walking in Indiana and came across this statue of a young girl with a Fireman to the left and a Policeman to the right. Apolgies that I could not get a clearer picture of the faces in the statue, but the sun was not cooperating that day.

I was moved by this sweet statue, but I didn’t realize it’s complete importance until I read the two plaques next to the statue. The first one I share with you is the “Fireman’s Prayer.” The second plaque is the “Policeman’s Prayer.”

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Fireman and Policeman do not have an easy job. These prayers I read were a reminder to appreciate their efforts and that they put their lives on the line for us every day. If you have not read these prayers before, I hope you find them moving too.