Mary's Heartbeats

My back begins to readjust as my feet are flat up against the wall.  I begin to breathe deeply and slowly as I listen to her calming voice.  One of the best things that I have learned from my yoga teacher is to approach each day with an attitude of gratitude.  Every class, she starts us off with time to pause, reflect, and name all that we are thankful for.  I hear other "yogis" recite their grateful words or phrases.  Doing just that takes the focus off of self and seems to energize me for the poses that we do.  I come away from class invigorated. But I have discovered that really is the best attitude to have even when I'm not at class.  Contentment comes from gratefulness.  For me, gratefulness is combined with praise to God for all He is and has done for me.  I naturally have a tendency to be an ideal realist. I hope for the best, but endure the reality.  It is what it is . . .  However, as I put up with whatever comes my way...

What a week!  What a turn of events!  It seemed impossible to even begin to process all that had happened.  Their emotions had risen high with expectation of a new kingdom and righteous King, but then dashed apart with the unexpected, gruesome crucifixion of the One they had put their feeble faith and hope in.  Yet, within a few days, they had actually seen this very One alive, even able to put their hands into his nail pierced hands and side.  But what in the world was the meaning of this all?  What is God intending?  What now?  Was this all just some surreal dream or fog they had stumbled in to? "I'm going fishing."  Peter announced this to his friends after arriving back home.  It had to be good to at least find and see things that made sense to you.  The fresh sea air, the small boats bobbing in the harbor, and the expectation of catching fish made life seem real again.  Fishing was something they didn't have to think a...

Today marks the fifth anniversary of my Daddio's passage from this life.  His death came one week earlier than my Mother who had passed on five years before he did.  It seems strange to live these days without them, somehow you think your parents are always going to be there.  I still find myself yearning for at least one more conversation with them.  I often recognize in myself some of their behaviors, like eating breakfast cereal with a giant spoon or having a closet full of dresses and shoes that I've had for at least 20 years.  But one of the best things they impressed on me was having joy with family.  Daddio was  especially content and happy when surrounded by his family.  He often would remark how blessed he was and how he completely loved being with his family.  His eyes would sparkle and he'd have the biggest wide tooth grin whenever he would tell us that, and it was often enough that you never forgot that fact. . .  So I...