A Little Procedure

In May I had a little procedure , but  then again, when it's YOU, no procedure is "little"!  The phone rang, nearly off the hook, from well-wishers, asking how "is it going" and telling me I was in their prayers. 

In one day the phone rang eighteen times! At first I was half annoyed until someone replied, "oh, how loved you are!"  And continued, "I don't even know that you know it!" 

So, I have spent some time thinking about just that, how loved I am! Have you ever been in a spot that crimped your plans, laid you up or put you out of commission for awhile?  It isn't fun and takes a bit of effort to feel a sense of balance once again.

Here are some of the "gifts" that came my way: Eighteen phone calls in one day, more to follow each day after that, food for the freezer; friends who acted as my "uber" drivers; friends who sat here and helped me with pillows and ice; friends who helped me paint the workshop walls...and the list goes on and on.

If I don't feel loved through all of this, I don't know what it would take!  I am so blessed!  How about you? In what ways are you loved and blessed.  Take a bit of quiet time to ponder this bigger reality that may get lost in the "little procedures" of life!   

Courtesy of Pixabay

Spring Chicken

 Lately I have been hearing the words, "advanced age", "not a spring chicken" and other  words that imply I am not in the spring of my lifetime!  I'd like to smack "em all when they say these things...and yet, it's true! 

However, as I read and come upon a chapter of a book that talks about our "mission" lately I have asked myself this same question, "what is my mission?"  I have written about this in other posts but bear with me. 

I have been a spiritual director since my retirement in 2012 and love meeting with individuals to listen to their journeys.  At my 50th reunion yesterday a classmate asked if I missed chaplaincy, which I did for 23 years.  Spiritual direction is different but still ministers to a person's spirit rather than the physical issues as in nursing. 

When I hear feedback from those who are coming to me as to how spiritual direction is enriching their life I am so blessed that I can be a conduit for God's presence in an appointment. When I hear the comments and see the results it truly is amazing.  Right now, this too, is one of my missions. 

So, if you know of anyone, or you yourself might consider spiritual direction, email me with your contact number then we can talk; I can explain more to you and possibly meet for an hour or so.  It just might be something that enriches your spirit, too! (mclafond2014@gmail.com)

So, "spring chicken" or a young chick each of us can have a mission, which certainly brings meaning and purpose in our life; large or small...it matters not!

Courtesy of Pixabay

50 YEARS!!

 Have you ever gone to a class reunion and wondered if you would recognize classmates you have not seen for fifty years?  Yesterday I attended the yearly nurses' luncheon.  Every year a class is honored and my class of 1973 (fifty years for those who are counting) was honored. 

Four of us planned the day; I was on the registration table when the guests registered.  It was amazing that I was able to (just about) put a name to most of my classmates.  A few had changed looks so drastically I wasn't sure. Two instructors also came; what a joy to hear their memories of the school years!

It was so wonderful to see every one; memories came to mind and it was so refreshing to share some of them and these memories were still alive in the others!  One who was my closest friend came and it was as if no time was lost at all between us! 

Afterward I pondered the times I did not attend these luncheons, thinking I wouldn't "connect" or recognize anyone.  Now, having attended the lunches regularly it is so refreshing to go back each year, renewing acquaintances that gently turn into friendship. 

So, if you have the opportunity to return to a function that connects you to the past, a family reunion, a school reunion, I hope you go.  It has become a very warm spot in my heart.  The scene of different folks lingering and visiting at the end said a lot as to how they were enjoying their time, too!  

Holy Family School of Nursing Class of '73