St. Blaise Blessing

Yesterday I lamented not being able to attend Mass for the feast of St. Blaise. Last night, at RCIA, I was talking to a man who noticed I wasn't at Mass, and I told him how I regretted missing it. The pastor overheard our conversation and said that candles weren't needed for the blessing on St. Blaise's feast. Then, he gave me the blessing right there on the spot. God provides! Thank God for our priests.

Better Now

I awoke this morning feeling really good and rested, almost as if nothing happened. My clothes and sheets were drenched, perhaps from whenever my fever broke. The last I remembered last night was violent chills and delirious thoughts in the midst of my virus. Today, it was all gone. I called Dad to tell him I would come in to work at lunch. I washed my bed linens and clothes. I took a shower and disinfected the bathroom. I happened to have weighed myself yesterday morning, so I weighed myself again this morning to see what had changed. I lost six pounds. And I felt, it, too. I was ravenously hungry, and I gulped down a liter or more of water. And now, I'm at work again, happy to be back. I was stir-crazy in my room yesterday.

I had hoped to go to Mass for Candlemas and St. Blaise. Next year, hopefully.

Thanksgiving Thoughts

On Thanksgiving I wish, first of all, to thank God for giving me life and my parents for saying yes to it. I'm thankful for my family and my friends. I'm thankful for the many blessings and privileges which I have enjoyed in life, knowing full-well that I am not a self-made man. And, though I never would have welcomed them, I am thankful for what the little suffering and grief I've faced in life has taught me, both about myself, that I may be more grateful and humble, and about others, that I may look outside of my interests toward the wellbeing of others.

One thing, though, has especially been on my heart this year, that I am especially thankful for. There is someone who taught me much, and continues to teach me though we are apart. At the time, I did not know I was being taught. I took her presence for granted. But, with every passing day this year, I have looked to her example for wisdom, and her life inspires me to be compassionate to others, and to know myself more deeply. I repent of having taken her for granted.

I think of her and other friends who are no longer with me. What I learn from this is to be grateful today for what I will wish I had been grateful for tomorrow. Because today is passing away forever, and the things we do, or refuse to do, will be forever.