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  • Eternal Rest

    Father Richard said a mass for the dead today.  It was so fitting as I was feeling quite down.  Ryan Barrett had his funeral today at the same time as our daily mass time.  It was only something God could have arranged.  I'm learning so much during this dark time.  

    Their bishop came to Ryan's wake.  Read about it here.

    Please continue to pray for the Barretts and all the people who knew and loved Ryan.  I loved him from afar.  He prayed for a special intention for me.  I am so saddened that I will never get to meet this wonderful young man.

    Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord; and let perpetual light shine upon him. May his soul and the souls of all the faithful departed through the mercy of God rest in peace. Amen.

  • Wordless Wednesday ~ Reading Edition

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  • We’re Batty

    The 3rd weekend in August is supposed to be peak bat time here in Texas.  We have an underpass where the bats live in downtown Austin, but nearer to my parents in Round Rock, there's a smaller group of bats.  This smaller group is nothing to sneeze at though.  It was interesting to watch them fly out.  The bats started from closer to the northern part of the underpass and then moved down to the southern part.  I didn't even realize they were that organized.

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    When looked at from afar, it looks like huge flocks of birds.  It's really quite amazing to watch.

    Now for the gratuitous kid shots.

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  • Rainbow

    On Friday, hearing about Ryan Barrett was the straw that broke the camels back.  I was devastated and just in despair.  I was feeling completely drained.  Luckily, I had lots of things keeping me busy but during those quiet moments in the car, I was thinking again about the Barretts and grieving with them.

    Then, I saw this.

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    There was no rain.  Just the rainbow.  And, I felt that God was sending me a message to trust in him.  I'm trying.  Really, I am.

  • Deep Sorrow

    It was with worry that I learned that Mary Ellen's oldest was lost last night on a father-son camping trip.  

    I have now learned, with deep sorrow, that Ryan has drowned.  My prayers go out to Mary Ellen, who has given me such comfort in the past, and to her husband and family.  I cannot imagine the sorrow.

    Please pray for the Barretts.

  • Why?

    The other day, Honey wanted me to spell Mary for her (she was pretending to be Mary Poppins at Disney World signing autographs).  I started with M-A-R.  She screeched for asked me to stop after the R because she was having trouble writing it to her satisfaction.  Here's what followed:

    Honey:  What's next?

    Me:  Y

    Honey (feeling quite aggravated):  Because I don't know how to spell it!

    Me:  The letter Y, Honey.

    Honey (feeling quite chastened):  Oh.

    Then she wanted me to spell Poppins.  I told her the first 3 letters.  Then:

    Honey:  Okay, I'm ready.

    Me:  P

    Honey:  I already did P!

    Me:  Another P.

    Honey:  Oh.

    I'd like to say I was feeling quite goodnatured at this point, but I wasn't.  I was annoyed.  Now, I look back on it and can laugh quite heartily.

  • Wordless Wednesday ~ Texas Bloggers Edition

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    Me, Jess, Emily, Charlotte, Sue

  • Difficult Day

    It has been a difficult day.  Matthew Karol's Funeral Mass of Angels was so beautiful.  Walking into the church, I first saw the little casket in front of the altar.  The tears started immediately.  The rhythm of mass helped to calm me down but then right at the offertory, Moonbeam (Emily's 2nd daughter) started sobbing.  I don't think there was a dry eye in the church.  It was touching to see the altar servers come down one by one and give Moonbeam a hug to bolster her.  

    We drove to the cemetery in a procession.  I had never been in one before.  I was touched by all the cars stopping while we passed.  There was one young man who got out of his car and had his right hand over his heart.  The utility workers had their helmets off.  We said our last good-byes to Matthew and drove back to the church to have a bite to eat with the family.  It heartening to see the Snow children play and smile.  We sure did miss them while they were gone.  

    We love you, Emily, John and children.  We continue to pray for you all.

  • Funeral Mass of the Angels

    Tomorrow at 9am CST, we will be attending the Funeral Mass of the Angels for Matthew Karol Snow.  Please pray for the family.  And, for all of us who are attending.  My heart is heavy and I'm sure I'll be sobbing throughout the mass.  Burial will be at 11am CST.  

  • Our Newest Ballerina

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    It was a bittersweet day.  Isn't she beautiful?