Heaven sent

You might remember, from With an Open Heart, that our local friends and faith community hosted a fundraising event in November of 2010 to help us bring Charlie home.

Our friends had also designed bracelets that were "tickets" for the event. They were green rubber bracelets that read "Think of Daniel."  I cried when they gave one to me.

Three and a half years later, I still wear this bracelet every day. 

About a month ago, I noticed that my bracelet had changed a bit. In fact, I realized that "Think of Daniel" wasn't even legible anymore from the years of wear. The words had disappeared totally. But I kept thinking--as I'd look down--that it didn't really matter if I could read those words or not. Because I know them in my heart.

This afternoon, I delivered Madi to my friend Carrie's house for a playdate with her daughters. You might remember reading about Carrie in the book, too. She is one of my most treasured sisters-in-Christ.

Madi knocked on the door, and as I was about to drive away once she was united with her friends, the girls came running out of the house toward the van shouting, "Here! My mom told us to give this to YOU!"

They handed me a brand new "Think of Daniel" bracelet.  How on earth did she know?

I'm certain The Holy Spirit must've whispered in her ear. And I believe Daniel knew that his Mommy needed a new bracelet.

Heaven sent.

Father's Day and the Holy Trinity

I didn't realize, until we'd hustled into Mass this morning, that it was a special day for more than the obvious reason of Father's Day.

The Most Holy Trinity. 

I took a minute to breathe it all in, and as we sang the Responsorial Psalm lyrics of "Glory and praise forever!",  I glanced up at the projection screen in shock.

The Psalm read, "Daniel 3; Most Holy Trinity, Year A"

Daniel.  Our son was called Home to Heaven on Trinity Sunday four years ago.

And even though it's the date of May 30th that we remember and honor his passing each year, Trinity Sunday is also so very meaningful to me, if not more so than the calendar anniversary. What a beautiful day to die, on the Holy day that honors the Father, the Son, the Holy Spirit. Feels like a gift somehow.

I couldn't help but think about how interesting that Father's Day and Trinity Sunday coincided this year. That Daniel and Jimmy never shared a Father's Day together, yet Jimmy adored being his Dad every single day. And while Daniel couldn't be there to celebrate Father's Day with my husband today, he is living the ultimate Father's Day with God, our eternal Father.

I looked over at silly Charlie, who lies about the pew--and his parents--as if he's on his living room sofa, and Madi, who knows it all, or at last the half of it, and I thought about how blessed they are to have Jimmy as their loving Father.

My mind then traveled to China and thought of Joseph. This will be his last Father's Day without one, thank God. Next year, he'll celebrate, too, and he'll be right there in those pews with us as we praise the Lord.

Then, I thought about how truly blessed Jimmy and I are to both have our Fathers living with us here on earth, when so many of you don't. This is something I don't take lightly, nor do I take it for granted.

I've been feeling like an emotional rollercoaster today. Sad, because I miss him. Happy that he is where he is. And with a tear scattered here and there throughout the day, how can I not feel just completely blessed and joyful?  Especially as I "take stock" in all of it?

Thank you, our gracious and ever-loving God, for being the ultimate Father of unconditional love and forgiveness.

"For God so loved the world that he gave his only Son, so that everyone who believes in him might not perish but might have eternal life." -- John 3:16

Happy Father's Day.