It might seem odd to say but sometimes being unwell can have its advantages. The expectation and the reality of the situation is such that some things won't get done, some things will be altered to fit into a new reality, and maybe the best of all is that I won't drive my family crazy with the never ending 'to do' list that I somehow have felt has become my own private domain while everyone else just goes about their daily business.
Who knows, maybe this fickle hand of fate will allow us to have a more personal and relaxed time with family and friends while keeping the commercialism at bay. Most, if not all, invitations have been politey declined as I try to balance necessary activity with the breathlessness related to my most recent medical adventures.
Since my last post, my health has remained fairly stable and at this point, other than routine blood work, no action will be taken unless I feel a marked change in my well being.
The biggest change and biggest challenge is the shortness of breath that appears out of nowhere and overrides the smooth functioning of my anatomy, much like a sticky carbuerator in a car - ok, I don't think cars have them anymore and I'm showing my age. I do remember though, the days when it was damp out, one might have to be prepared to go out and tinker under the hood to get things going, maybe even spray some WD-40 on the thing to coax it into starting. In any case, physically, I feel probably the slowest I've felt without any major medical intervention taking place, like 7 hour back surgery. If that's the worst of my complaints, I guess I'm doing very well. I've been taking the time to see what it feels like to really and truly do very little or nothing, and just enjoy it. Last week I even watched a Christmas movie during the day with a friend. Now that's a big step. Intuitively I believe that I will overcome this latest adventure and possibly come out of it with a greater sense of calm - seems to be what much of this is about to me - slowing down, calming down and allowing God to direct my steps and including the inevitable surprises He'll have for me each day.
A couple of posts ago I mentioned that our parish, St. Paul the Apostle 'Roman Catholic Church, has taken a bold step to get 'outside ourselves' and sponsor a Syrian refugee family, currently living in Lebanon.
For once in my life I did not jump into the organizing committee with both feet, becoming embroiled in all the details requiring attention to make the decision a reality. Imagine, there are scores of competent, well meaning and enthusiastic people willing to get involved and do their part. Accessible accommodation has been secured (Dad has been in a wheelchair since childhood polio), the three bedroom apartment is fully furnished and funding for their first year secured. It's this last point that I'd like to share a little more about. For some seemingly unknown reason, without being a member of the overall project committee or any other sub group, I offered to speak at the 5 parish masses to encourage financial support for the Maree family. Input was gathered from Fr. Leo, the project coordinator, the Parish secretary and others. After it was over, and I only had to speak for maybe two minutes, I marvelled at how Father Leo holds mass 5 times every weekend, gives the same homily 5 times over and meets and greets everyone before and after mass. This of course is on top of the schools and retirement homes that need attention. Oh my! And let's not forget masses each weekday as well.
What I'd like to share are the comments that I believe came forward with big help from the Holy Spirit. We took a risk of not asking parishioners to consider a certain amount to give, but rather leave it up to them to discern what they might give as it relates to their personal priorities.
Comments made at Masses on the weekend of November 21st and 22, 2015:
We are ‘adopting’ the Maree family of 6 from Syria; having lived in a country torn apart by war and conflict; Mom, Dad, a paraplegic since childhood polio
played professional wheelchair basketball who later owned his own clothing
store. Imagine being one of four boys 5, 13, 14, or a teen of 17 to have only known fear and
vulnerability – every day of your young life filled with fear and impending
doom. The family is now living in
Lebanon – yet recently there were more attacks on Beirut – we have no idea how
this family is coping with the daily terror. And yet, we have the collective
ability to transform this family’s experience of terror to one of hope for the
future.
I ask you to think about how many of us
right here, right now are also immigrants. I am a first generation Canadian as
is my husband Michael.
- - After WWII 70K war brides and
their children arrived with hope of a new life.
- - In 1979, 60,000 Vietnamese boat
people arrived with 60% being privately sponsored.
What does this tell us?
Being a nation of immigrants we have a responsibility
to treat refugees with care and compassion. More importantly, we’re good at
it. We have experience, we have memories
and we came here or heard about our families coming to Canada with hearts full
of hope for the future.
We all know that as a society we are
wealthy beyond measure – and so we have a responsibility to share the gifts
that God has graced us with, and what better gift to give our own families than
the gift of giving. Giving and a reminder
that we live in a society of civil freedom regardless of our social standing.
There is such an extreme, almost obscene
imbalance in the world today in terms of how people live and we are being
called to help.
Yes, we have plenty of poor and needy families
right in our own parish. We must keep in
mind, that inaction in one area does not justify inaction in another.This is
not about either/or, it’s about taking part in a global issue that has the
spotlight of the world put on a need that requires taking risk by many
people in many countries in many ways. I believe God has allowed this into our
lives in order that we can respond to His call.
If we can feel it in our hearts to give
even a lit bit, think of the difference we can make. Everyone has to make their own decisions but
there is no greater feeling of joy than giving sacrificially to help someone
else.
Pope Francis has challenged every Catholic
Church in Europe to sponsor one refugee family. Canada seems to have accepted
it as well. He
shared how joy springs from a grateful heart. Are we good at counting our
blessings, and sharing them, or have we forgotten them? Maybe it’s a time of
remembrance of what we might be able to do.
Please,
after mass this week, check the bulletin for more information to consider how
you might help.
In
closing, I remind you of the parable of the starfish where tens of thousands were
washed up after a storm. Someone walking
along the beach saw a child bending down, picking up a starfish and throwing it
back in the sea. When asked what they
were doing, the child responded “I’m helping them get back in the water or they
will die.”
The
child bent down, picked up a starfish and threw it out as far as possible into
the water. Looking the adult in the eye
the child replied, “It made a difference to that one”.
A thought that just occurred to me is consideration of such a large undertaking at this time of year may have had an impact on how we are viewing Christmas and the holidays. There are so many people across Canada with hearts overflowing with care and compassion and a willingness to make a difference in whatever small way they may. Perhaps it's helping us turn away from, even boycott a little bit, the marketing frenzy pushed onto consumers since the end of November. Sure some things are being purchased but my guess is that likely by far, people and families are sharing what they have to help create a home for these newcomers to Canada. I'm not sure how this issue resonates with you, nor is it up to me to judge where people stand on this issue. We do though, have an opportunity to make a material difference in the lives of others who have not been as fortunate as we have enjoying lives of relative safety and freedom.
I'd like to finish by expressing my heartfelt gratitude for all the good wishes sent my way as a result of my mass email requesting prayers, white light and positive thoughts. I mentioned before how important it is to me to make an effort to send individual notes of thanks back to those who took the time to write. My hope is that today will finally complete that goal although I must say, I have spent so much time searching for threads that I will be hauling out my Mac Book for Dummies.
As we head toward the end of another calendar year, may we all be grateful for all the blessings that have come our way, thank God (or your higher power) for the friends and family you hold close to your heart and may we all look to 2016 with hearts full of hope.
Take care, all the best for a wonderful Christmas and we'll connect on New Year's Eve or the beginning of next year. Lots of love and hugs,
Liz
dobbsjones@gmail.com
"Prayers wrapped in faith and sent with love are the greatest gifts we can receive."
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