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Below are thoughts, reflections, and poems that I’ve written. I periodically add items here when I feel inspired. I hope you find the words I’ve written uplifting and inspiring!
March 16, 2021
A year ago today, the world changed with COVID-19’s shutdown of everything. Below is a poem reflecting upon how I felt and what I thought that day as well as two oil pastel drawings I created to go along with my words. I hope you enjoy.
“March 16, 2020”
Be still my heart, my heart stood still...
The world stood still...
I heard the news
Ache...
My heart ached throughout the day
Gone...
A day I never thought I’d see
Yet I’d seen the signs
Ache...
Tears...
Bells still chimed
Doors were shut
Ache...
Tears...
Silence...
Everything had been taken
Shock and disbelief
Separated
Had I taken you for granted?
Not realizing how much I need you?
Not realizing till you’re gone?
We never know
Never know when our last Mass will be,
Last communion received..
Ache...
Tears...
Silence...
My heart ached throughout the day
Yet...
You were not gone
You were still here
You never left us
Throughout the day
I felt you, found you
In the ache and in my tears
Spring was showing
Faith still growing
Within my heart you lit a fire
And you dried away my tears
March 4, 2021
Contemplating about Easter and the feelings the disciples experienced when they realized they'd been walking and talking with the risen Lord on their way to Emmaus.
"Emmaus"
You met us on the road, when we were at our weakest,
Disillusioned, and in shock, our hearts were defeated.
You opened up the scripture, and with it restored our lives,
Our hearts began to flutter, our souls became alive.
You taught of ancient prophecies, of sacrifice, of bread,
We didn’t recognize you, yet began to comprehend,
The twinkle in your eyes, the smile on your face,
We were entranced by what you spoke, with your light, and with your grace.
When we reached our destination, “Please stay with us,” we said,
You sat with us at table, took bread into your hands, gave a blessing, broke in half, gave to us to eat and to be fed.
Our eyes were opened, shutters torn, we now see you in our gaze,
The dust removed, we blink, your sunlight has us dazed.
My heart is burning, soul is dancing, smile spreading on my face,
I see you, Lord, within this moment, within this time and in this chosen place.
I see the holes within your hands, the wound within your side,
Then in a dazzling light, you smile, then vanish from our sight.
In the gift of your presence, you’ve given us a taste,
My heart rejoices, soul professes, this knowledge I cannot waste
Amazed in wonder, I can see with a new sight, and continue now to see,
See and know you, in the breaking of the bread, and know that’s where you’ll always be
Your body...soul...divinity...are hidden in Eucharist sight,
Unleavened loaves, yet leavened with your presence, veiled in mystery and might.
Lord, please keep Emmaus always present, always present in my heart,
And let this new found sight remain within me, never to depart.
February 22, 2021
Have you ever wondered what kind of flower you'd be in God's garden? Saint Therese of Lisieux said, "The splendor of the rose and the whiteness of the lily do not rob the little violet of its scent nor the daisy of its simple charm." Her Little Way is so inspiring! Instead of striving to be a rose, might we humbly seek to be a clover blossom?
"The Clover Blossom"
To be a Clover Blossom amongst the fields of green,
Blending in, yet standing out, and not the only flower to be seen.
Weaved together, lacework, upon the emerald field,
And though not the grandest amongst the flowers, with the help of bees, sweet honey is its yield.
The Little Flower said, “If every tiny flower wanted to be a rose, spring would lose its loveliness.”
I wonder than... Do you suppose?
How lovely than to be a clover blossom, growing in the grassy green, hidden, yet by God, know that you are seen.
The wisdom of The Little Flower, teach me your Little Way. So I might grow in holiness each and every day.
February 4, 2021
My four-year-old daughter painted this beautiful picture of flowers, and gazing upon her painting, I was inspired to write this prayer that is truly a pray for her and all my children.
"A Mama’s Prayer"
Oh little flower
Beautiful petals bright
Radiant and tranquil
In the soft glowing sunlight
Plant your roots firm in the soil
And soak up what is good...
What is true... what is holy
When the wind blows, because it will,
Hold tight and steadfast
For the tempest will pass
And grow
Grow in goodness, grow in grace
And with your presence
Help make the world a better place
Oh little flower
Beautiful petals bright
Radiant and tranquil
In the soft glowing sunlight
Trust...
Believe...
Grow...
Remain in Him and Him in you
And there will be nothing you cannot do
January 20, 2021
Have you attended Eucharistic Adoration before? Placed yourself before the Lord in the Holy Eucharist, spending time in His presence? It is such a life changing experience! When I was in graduate school, I used to spend Monday night's in adoration at the Newman Center on campus, and it was a beautiful time I continue to treasure today. Blessed Carlo Acutis said, "When we face the sun we get a tan, but when we stand before Jesus in the Eucharist, we become saints." Will you place yourself before the Lord in adoration?
"All Praise and Adoration"
In the silence
Whisper to my heart
Fill me with love
A love that’s greater than any treasure in the world
“Be not afraid”
Not afraid of anything
For this world is only temporary
And the world to which you belong is eternal
How can I be afraid?
For before me, yes the Lamb of God, yet truly a lion of regal peace, mercy, and might!
See beyond the eye, with the heart
The truth in front of you
Incense, sweet perfume, for God on high
Lighted candles burn
In your presence, Lord I gaze
You’ve never left us alone in this world
And I know you never will
All praise and adoration
That’s what my heart can bring
And with this gift, dear Lord, use me as an instrument of change
January 11, 2021
There is always a reason to HOPE! Hope knows no bounds, for hope is inseparable from love.
October 23, 2020
Windswept, whirling, raining leaves, cascade of colors as far as the eye can see. The landscape canvas of vibrant hues, a picture, painting, each year anew. Breathe in the air—oh crisp cool breath—filled with the depth of autumn’s breadth. Alive! Feel your soul alive! Embraced by the wonder and beauty of the divine. Oh masterful artist, oh composer of grace. I delight in this moment, this time, and this place.
September 14, 2020
Reflecting on the little things: Look for love and beauty in the little things. Remember Elijah did not find God in the wind, earthquake or fire, but rather in the whisper (1 Kings 19:11-13). When my kids offer to help set the table, I know it’s going to look disheveled with some utensils upside down and napkins and plates close to falling off the table’s edge, but looking into their eyes and seeing how happy and proud they are to do something helpful and nice for me, makes me reflect on appreciating and looking for love and beauty in the little things. Holding their little hands, watching them think things out and smile in wonder when they’ve reached a realization or understanding is a little and beautiful thing I can treasure. Look at your children and all the little things they do and the little things around you and see the beauty and love that fills them.
September 13, 2020
When the noise of the world is so overwhelming you cannot think, close your eyes and breath. Retreat into the silence, finding the respite you need, then return again to the chaos of the world, refreshed and filled with energy to distinguish what to listen to and what to ignore. I find this to be a great thing to do when I feel overwhelmed as a mom or just by things going around me in the world, news, etc. Finding moments to just be quiet and think and reflect, or just embrace the silence without thinking at all is extremely beneficial and good for your soul.
September 8, 2020
Have you ever just watched your child/children and noticed how amazed they are by everything? I mean, the simplest things amaze them: a cloud floating in the sky, a bumble-bee landing on a flower, raindrops falling from the sky...They look at everything with the wonder of seeing with eyes for the first time. Can you imagine what it would be like in the world today if everyone had the same childlike amazement as this? Today, I am going to make an effort to see the world around me through the eyes of my children. Will I undoubtedly fail at times? Of course. But if I have even a few successful glimpses of the world around me with "childlike wonder" how wonderful would that be? How wonderful would that be to connect with my children at this level? They are only small for so long. Jesus said, "unless you change and become like the children, you will never enter the Kingdom of Heaven..." (Matthew 18). I wonder, if God wants to connect with us with "childlike wonder" and "childlike eyes." If we can see the beauty, wonder and awe in everything around us like a child—as if seeing it for the first time—how much closer/stronger do you think this could make our relationship with the Lord? I wonder...
September 7, 2020
I don't know about you, but I find it easier to pray when it's quiet. Something about stepping back into the silence is not only refreshing, but something my soul needs and ultimately craves. To help our children learn the importance of prayer and the value of quiet time, we've been working on creating an outdoor space for family prayer and quiet reflection. We've started small—a couple of mums, "Mums for our Spiritual Mum," and our statue of Mary— but we have the end goal of creating a small decade rosary garden with ten mosaic stepping stones crafted by us to help our children have ownership in creating our shared prayer space. We have an inside prayer corner, but there is something about being outside in nature that feeds the soul in a very special and different way. I'll post updates as we add more flowers and our stepping stones. Till then, think about what the benefits of creating an outdoor (and/or indoor) family prayer space might do for your family? As the old saying goes, "The family that prays together stays together." Thoughts for reflection.
August 26, 2020
We’ve been trying to stop what we’re doing and pray a Divine Mercy prayer at or a little after 3:00 pm at our home each day for a while now, and my daughter has started kneeling with her younger brother following her cue. Yesterday, she said to dad and I: “This time we’re all going to kneel.” Honest words from the lips of a child reminding me to whom I pray.
August 19, 2020
What a wonderful surprise! We’ve been watering our zucchini plant since early June, seen lots of blossoms, but no zucchinis ever growing. Instead of giving up on it, we’ve kept watering it and hoping, and today we got our first zucchini! What a wonderful analogy for so many aspects of life.
August 20, 2020
Zucchini bread made with yesterday’s “surprise” zucchini. Baking reflection: As I washed up all the dishesI used to make the zucchini bread that I’d let pile up in the sink all afternoon, I was reminded of all the different ingredients—unique. special, and flavorful in their own ways—that were needed to make one dish that was even more delicious when all the ingredients were incorporated and baked with love. Like the ingredients—unique, special, and flavorful in their own ways—when we come together filled with love we become part of something even more amazing. Food for thought. Here is the Zucchini bread recipe that I used.
July 25, 2020
Mommy Reflections: In watching my four-year-old interact with her younger brother, I’m reminded just how much parents are the first educators of their children. So what I try to remind myself daily is —Everything you do, remember little eyes are watching and little ears are listening. Remember the powerful effect of your actions and words, for what you say and do will lay the foundation for how your children will react or respond in the future. Extremely wonderful and scary at the same time.
April 23, 2020
Feeling poetic today. Thoughts to ponder.
"Listening—Not Hearing"
It’s in the silence when we hear
With hearts that wait and not with ear
In quite solitude they listen, still
And know with feeling what is their will
Their purpose...task...what is desired
For the moment in the quiet
It’s when we find true understanding
When clarity rings and calls resounding
Meaning’s known, what’s foggy, now clear
It’s in the silence, when we hear
"Coffee Thoughts"
I watch the wonder of the morning sky—
Pastel canvas from on high
A cup of coffee in my hand,
Countless thoughts to comprehend
The swirl of creamer, like forming clouds
That dance and float without a sound
A cool breeze dances upon my face
I gaze, I smile at the sky—a distant yet nearby place
"Trust"
Why is it that trust, a simple word, is so hard to give?
To fully let ones’ heart abound in grace, casting out all sin?
To live without a doubt in mind
Of knowing you are there
That all my flaws and sins are forgiven
And your mercy will wipe away my fear?
Why is it hard to feel you? I know that you are there
Why can’t my mind be silent? Why is it myself I hear?
Help me trust beyond a reason, pull away the shrouds that hide
Make clear my mind and heart Lord
Let trust in you within my soul abide
"Love and Mercy"
He whose head was crowned with thorns, whose handswere pierced for our sake,
Through whose quiet willing obedience
knew what his sacrifice would make.
Whose gift of love was so profound, no mortal tongue can ever profess
The wonder of his holy gift and selfless humbleness.
"All Life is Sacred"
He who is love is even greater still,
For he who is love is mercy,
A mercy which the whole world he will fill.
Oh divine love...divine mercy fill my heart,
Jesus who is love, is mercy, be with me always and never depart.
The little hands and little toes,
A small one’s heartbeat as they grow.
The aged hands, so wrinkled and wise,
Have so much to tell, look in their eyes.
The stranger from a distant land,
The face of each woman and each man.
If we but remember whose we are,
And look to Him and our Morning Star,
To guide our hears, and guide our minds,
A glimpse at our face will help to remind,
Each person is made in God’s holy image,
Each soul created—treasured, is God’s vision.
Every person has a dignity, each person a soul,
The Body of Christ is humanity, we all have a role.
"The Grace of Patience"
Lord, please grant me patience
When I’m tired and feeling drained
And little ones won’t go to sleep
And are driving me insane.
When I’ve heard a million “whys” and
My mind and ears just want a rest
When I want to reply in annoyed tones
and know I’m not at my best
Please grace me with the Grace of patience,
Help me be understanding and kind,
To keep from uttering a frustrated reply,
My silent tongue an offering to you each time.
"Each Task- A Sacrifice"
Each dirty diaper changed, I offer
Each time I bite my tongue
Each gentle touch of guidance to my little ones
An offering for others
A prayerful gift to God
An opportunity to sacrifice
A chance to grow in grace and love.
April 15, 2020
Easter season reflection during pandemic quarantine. The longest Lent. A Lent I shall never forget. A Lent the Lord hepled me to grow closer to Him.
"This Desert"
In this desert may our eyes be opened,
May our blindness disappear,
May we see with a new sight,
As what's truly important becomes clear.
May we feel the call within us, deep within our very
souls,
To turn our lives to prayer and virtue, to love and to
behold,
The world and all around us, the lives of all mankind,
As we contemplate what we are missing sacramentally,
That is HE who is divine.
As we practice being generous, and making our hearts full,
Let us remember it is HE who truly makes us whole,
May we grow in love of family, in wisdom, truth and
grace,
May we find ourselves and what we value,
Grow in faith and receive strength,
To persevere across this desert, finding oases
along the way,
Until we at last emerge inspired by the love redeemed for us on Easter Day!
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