Feast of the Holy Family — Repost from 2013

Two years have passed since I wrote this post and life has slowed down considerably.  Though things are still hectic when balancing five different lives in one household.  I have decided not to try to do everything at the same time.  Consequently, life is calmer, because I am calmer. My house is cleaner because I have more time to tend it. My husband still needs a job that brings him some kind of joy. But, at least he has a job. But, I wanted to share this with you because it still does apply.  I am forever grateful for the gift of my family; immediate and chosen.

12/29/13

I crashed after Christmas and said I could sleep for a week.  My body took me seriously and has here and there, whether reading a book or watching tv, (both things I have not had much time to do) has fallen asleep.

This fall, I completed a degree, began running a Jr./ Sr. high program at my parish, began facilitating an extension program for Loyola in N.O. and continued to sub at the school.  My children played tennis, danced, acted, worked in productions, played instruments and concerts and  went to religion and were basically busy girls.  My husband went back to work in a position where he had to learn from scratch and is working very long days.  My car was falling apart, my phone not working, my house a disgusting mess but except for the last two weeks everyone ate healthily.  Laundry was not always done and sometimes socks didn’t match.

In the midst of this mayhem, I noticed some things.  My first thing is that my kids are really good people.  They have their moments like all kids, but they are really good people.  Carrying pretty hefty schedules of their own, they would stop when I needed them to and help me with my math course.  They have spent much of the year not asking for much, they are not typical of their age.  They really get that the world is bigger than their sphere.  I am looking forward to seeing what the next 10 years brings.  But not yet.  The other thing that I was reminded of was how much my husband loves me.  What a good person he is.  How he will do anything to help me, to lighten my load and to keep me smiling.

The other thing was how blessed I am with the family and friends that I have had most of my life.  I was all but missing in action these past 3 months…but they are always ready to embrace  me again.

On this feast of the Holy Family, I look to my family in their holiness.  I give thanks to the witness that they provide of an active and loving God.  I remember the words of encouragement that we share, the prayers we say together and the fun we always have.  I remember that when we are angry or short-tempered with each other that it too is another form of love, a love that is confident that it is real and so can be what it is at all times.  I give thanks for the first Holy Family who remains an example of faith and acceptance for me.