How long has it been?

It was a simple question.  It was also incomplete.  The real question was "How long has it been since Carmen died?"

I had to think for a moment.  3 weeks ago was the 18 month anniversary.  The fact that I had to think and that I missed a reasonably major anniversary tells me that I am healing.  Do I still miss her? Of course.  Am I tearing up as I write this?  Of course.

Now those who know the entire story will be wondering at this time...  Is the candle still lit?  I can respond with an emphatic, "YES!".

For those who don't know the story, and I cannot see that I have told it here before...  Just after Carmen died, I put up the Christmas candles.  Ours go on for 8 hours and off for 16.  The one next to my bed did not go off.  I reset it three times.  It stayed on.  I changed the batteries.  It stayed on.   It has been running for almost 19 months now on 2 AA batteries.  I like to think that Carmen is telling me that she is nearby and watching out for me.

It made me laugh

This morning I laughed out loud.

Each morning I listen to a podcast of the Morning Prayer (from http://divineoffice.org/) while I read along in my breviary.

This morning, the song was "O Come, Divine Messiah".  It was so unexpected, I just laughed out loud.
Of course, it is the Nativity of John the Baptist, so it makes sense in some weird sort of way. 

Just wanted to share...

A quiet time

I am emulating a hermit this week.

My car is in the shop for some minor body work (honest, I have no idea where that telephone pole came from!), so I am carless and working from home this week.  I am taking advantage of that by keeping the house closed up and the distractions to a minimum.

Today, my fellow diocesan seminarians are starting a 3 day retreat.  I was invited to join them, but had no vacation time left and could not work out a deal with my management.  So, I will be praying for them from home in my quiet little space.  With God's grace, I will be with them next year and the following years.

I leave my job in 38 days (not that I am counting)
I enter the seminary in 68 days (not that I am counting)

A message for me

I won't often post scripture in my blog, but yesterday's 1st reading is still not leaving me alone.  There must be a message in it for me.  I'm still looking for the exact message.

2 Corinthians 6:1-8
Working together, then, we appeal to you not to receive the grace of God in vain.
For he says: "In an acceptable time I heard you, and on the day of salvation I helped you." Behold, now is a very acceptable time; behold, now is the day of salvation. We cause no one to stumble in anything, in order that no fault may be found with our ministry; on the contrary, in everything we commend ourselves as ministers of God, through much endurance, in afflictions, hardships, constraints,beatings, imprisonments, riots, labors, vigils, fasts; by purity, knowledge, patience, kindness, in a holy spirit, in unfeigned love,in truthful speech, in the power of God; with weapons of righteousness at the right and at the left;through glory and dishonor, insult and praise. We are treated as deceivers and yet are truthful; as unrecognized and yet acknowledged; as dying and behold we live; as chastised and yet not put to death;as sorrowful yet always rejoicing; as poor yet enriching many; as having nothing and yet possessing all things.

Tick Tick Tick

As my friend pointed out yesterday, I leave work next month.  It is getting closer to reality every day. Class of 2015 here I come.

I am making progress on the house.  The piles to deal with get smaller every day.  I've had a showing, but no offers yet.  God will provide...

One of my brother seminarians (Class of 2012) starts his summer term at my home parish this week.  It will be good to renew that acquaintance.

Secular considerations - Part 2

I have about 2 months left at IBM.
I enter the seminary in about 3 months.

The house is on the market.  It should be in the MLS system by the end of the week.  The price is less than I had hoped for, but the market is still weak.  The condominium that my Dad really wanted to move into went on the market last week.  It is also in my price range.  It also has 2 first floor bedrooms for my Dad and my sister.

Perhaps God is smoothing the way once again.  I'm praying for the patience and flexibility to just "go with the flow" on this house process.

Still sorting, cleaning and packing...

What I am reading...

As you probably know, I am a voracious reader. 
Here is the current pile of books on my bureau.

Complete:
Still Called By Name - Fr Dominic Grassi.  This showed up as an Amazon recommendation.  It was a most enjoyable read.  He writes it 30 years after ordination and still loves every day as a priest.

In Progress:
Bumping into God - Fr Dominic Grassi (again). I liked the other book so much, I grabbed some others by this author.

Living the Mass - Fr. Dominic Grassi and Joe Paprocki.  Subtitled "How one hour a week can change your life".  A most interesting discussion of each part of the Mass.

Next:
My Life With the Saints - James Martin, SJ.  Recommended by my spiritual director. 
The Spiritual Journey of a Show Business Priest - Elwood E. Kiesler. Recommended by my good friend Peg.