James Clear

 Loving what he's got to say; bookmarking here for future reference. 

"Don't spend too much time around someone whose primary way of engaging with life is as a martyr.  When suffering becomes your identity, you only see the hard parts of life"  

Prayer for volunteers

 This was shared at the Villanova volunteer weekend I joined in May.   Sharing it here to easily retrieve it. 

Prayer for Alumni Volunteer Leaders
Inspired by St. Augustine

 

Gracious and loving God,
You have made us for Yourself, and our hearts are restless until they rest in You.
We thank You for gathering us here as alumni, united not only by shared experiences but by a shared calling to serve.

Guide us, Lord, with the wisdom of Your Spirit.
Let our work be rooted in humility, inspired by love, and directed toward the common good.
May we give generously of our time and talents,
remembering that in giving, we receive—
and in serving others, we come closer to You.

Bless our efforts, strengthen our unity, and lead us always in Your truth.
Amen.

 

Shakira!

 On a complete whim, last weekend we headed to Miami.  We had airline credits that would expire and J is spending quality time with his grandparents in Rio.   While there, a guy in the hotel elevator asked if we were there to see Shakira....   nooooo.....  but should we be??!!   I immediately went on Stubhub and got some last minute seats!   I have wanted to see her perform since I saw her Superbowl show with J-Lo a few years ago.    and Shakira, in Miami, is like seeing a team on the home field!  

As always, S was happy to go along with a plan.  It is not lost on me how lucky I am to have a partner so willing to always say an enthusiastic, YES.   So, we went to Zara, I got a fun dress to wear and we danced the night away.   I never want to forget the beautiful evening!  

Cliff House - Cape Neddick

Took S away for a quick trip to the Cliff House in Cape Neddick.   A stunning property that we haven't visited for a few years.  Amazing nature just a short trip from home.  Happy birthday to my favorite guy! 

Flowers

God spoke today in flowers.  And I, who was waiting on words, almost missed the conversation. 

I am from

 J did this assignment for school this year.  I was so inspired I did my own.   Here is his and mine. 

I am from the era of the iPhone 5. 

From Apple and Android. 

I am from the house on the hill.  Golden yellow, sweet and the cold pool. 

I am from the land of tulips; red orange and blue. 

I'm from dyed eggs and dark brown hair. 

From my father and my Uncle Paul 

I'm from the creative side and the energetic side. 

From when the tooth fairy left money and when Santa was real. 

I'm from the Lord's home and God's water. 

I'm from Brazilian, Irish and Italian ancestry. 

Pizzelles and pasta Bolognese, 

From Grammy's funny stories and warm bed. 

The yellow blond hair and sky blue eyes. 

The house of the old is where the photos remain. 

The tokens of the past are ancient gold coins to us.  

J, sixth grade, May 2025

I am from a morning mug of tea, 

from piles of books and from Boggle. 

I am from the cul-de-sac. 

Familiar curves, Big Wheels and friends who were family. 

I am from Weirs Beach

Cool air, happy mother, late nights. 

From Christmas sing-a-longs and painful sunburns

From Lil and Steve and Dot. 

I am from the hospitable and the unforgettable. 

From hope and determination to have their third baby. 

I am from wooden pews and forgive us our trespasses. 

I'm from Maple Ave and Wareham Street, from Irish hills and Italian coastlines. 

My mom's simmering sauce, ice cream sundaes and well-done pizza left out for late night friends. 

I am from an annual party where nobody is excluded and everyone is loved. 

From white hair and fair skin, from the telephone cord stretched into the nearby bathroom. 

The tall cabinet, hardly opened, holds memories of earlier decades. 

I am from five.  We are now eleven.  We are a miracle, a work in progress, an answered prayer. 

may 2025 

Division or connection

 If division is easier than connection and connection is needed for growth and forward progress, the clear conclusion is that keeping people divided - fighting over the issue: there is an infinite number of issues for people to choose - creating division is a way to limit people and maintain control.   

I choose connection.  It fuels me, makes me feel good and helps me get things done.