Tiny Graces

I have spent the last couple of weeks doing all sorts of things for all sorts of people.  I feel as though my schedule has to be cleared with everyone I know to make sure that I am not letting anyone down.  Between the Mother-in-law, recovering from back surgery, Aunt on hospice and limited to only three more short monthes, brother's wedding just around the corner and sick children, it is all very overwhelming. Let's just say that preparations for the baby, the race and how I am feeling all take a back seat.

My parents have left to travel cross country to take my youngest brother to college.  They will return with maybe a day to spare before traveling the  two and half hours north for my other brother's wedding.  Wedding plans are coming together, but not with out plenty of "Drama".  I will just say that there seems to be alot of animosity between my future sister-in-law and my mother.  While my mother can be a bit much at times, even I feel that the problem is more the fault of the Bride than my mother.  I don't want to spend this entire post complaining.  The Bride may not be completely at fault, this may just be evidence of being raised in a small divorced household.

I also went to two funerals this week.  One for a priest friend of the family.  He was the cutest, and sweeteset man.  Confession with him always took a long time, but the stories he told were amazing.  The other funeral was for the grandfather of one of my students.  I took all five children to both.  Why?  I know that I am crazy sometimes.   I also know that it may appear that I am asking for punishment.  My thought is this.  I want my children to know how to behave.  I want them to value life and the eternal reward of heaven, both of which we celebrate at funerals.  While it is difficult, and some of them are still working on mastering the behavior, I feel that they gain grace for their presence and for the soul we pray for. 

I saw a tiny sign of this on our way to communion.  Max, now two and a half, wanted to walk alone.  Since I was already carring the baby I tried to get him to hold my hand.  "I do it myself."  he said firmly.  And do it he did.  He walked just in front of me and he clasped his hands together folded neatly.  I was shocked.  He didn't run, he didn't step on anyone else.  And when he returned to the pew I was praising him for doing so well  and he said " I eat one too, Mommy".  I just said to him, "believe whatever you want baby, you did very well."  I will take all the tiny graces I can get.  Thank you Lord, it makes all the struggle to get them there and to have them sit still worth it.