FamilyMatters

I Miss My Mom

Yesterday would have been my mother's 70th birthday. And I went through the day conscious that it was her birthday, missing her, but thinking to myself "wow, it does get easier."

And then I went to church today.

And it hit me like a ton of bricks. First, it's the 3rd Sunday of Advent, my mother's favorite liturgical season. (Here she is with Liam and Mike winter 2002 the first Xmas she was sick.)Then watching Michael acolyte and thinking how much my mother would love that he loves to acolyte and sing at church and school. And then Thomas gave one of his best sermons.

Thankfully I was sitting in front of Denora today -- angel on earth who notices EVERYTHING -- who worked her special prayer magic on me.

And then NOT only Amazing Grace BUT ALSO Jerusalem -- Gina's #2 and #1 favorite hymns.

Frankly I was a mess -- and everyone was wondering why the tears streaming down the face.... I mean really.

Thank God for St. Paul's. Not only is my mother there, so I can visit anytime, but my village kicks in whenever I seem to need it.

Another thing my mother would have been so excited, thankful and appreciative of.

Heavy sigh.

Oh, that's where the Captain Hat is!

When Liam ended his first year at Arbor Bay, we went to Powell's so he could choose his end of the year treat. And then we met Liam's best friend Elliot (and his mom Julie) for dinner at Crepevine -- where of course Pancakes were for dinner.

Here is Captain Liam with his friend Elliot outside of the Crepevine for his end of the year special dinner.

All summer, Liam wanted to watch (again) the PBS show Carrier "Big Ship" with special attention paid to the fighter pilots of the Aircraft Carrier Nimitz. He asked for his hat, but we had left it in Millbrae....or so I thought.

Until we went to church Sunday and found the hat, complete with Liam's name written inside in big bold letters, in Foote Hall, just waiting for his return.

Who says church is a big black hole? It's holding everything precious waiting for us to return.

"Oh My Gosh!"

Liam has -- yet again -- added vocubulary to his repetoire. 

"I Love You."

"Are you Mad?"

"Is Mike in Trouble?"

"I have OT today. No school Tomorrow"

His latest sentence however is "Oh My Gosh!" said with dramatic emphasis and with great repetition.

Sunday was Mike's debut at the organ during church. He played the prelude and the postlude -- it was a great day! During the announcements Rev Julie asked if anyone had announcements and Liam raised his hand and Julie called on him and Liam pointed at his brother and said "Mike! and he wiggled his fingers like he was playing the piano. So Julie said "and yes, thanks to Mike Caraher for playing the organ today!"

During the postlude -- Liam interrupted Mike -- he was so excited, but Mike recovered. Afterwards everyone clapped for him and then Liam came running out of the vestibule and yelled.

"Oh My Gosh!"

All People Matter

Today 2 mentally disabled women were strapped with explosive and sent into markets in Baghdad and blown up - remotely.  They were used to kill at least 98 people. You can read the story here http://edition.cnn.com/2008/WORLD/meast/02/01/iraq.main/.

I am so mad I could scream. As the mother of a special needs child, I am outraged by this story.  To discard these women in such a way is horrific.

I don't understand suicide bombing. There I said it. I get that in some cultures this may be a position of higher calling -- a role of honor that is rewarded by the community. But to send women in who can not make the choice themselves removes any honor from the act does it not?

Liam would go with anyone who asked him. We have to be constantly vigilant about drawing boundaries and making sure he doesn't just walk off with someone -- anyone.

What defense did these women have? What discernment could they bring to their actions.

To choose to use your life is one thing -- I won't debate that here. To use another's life -- without their knowledge or even understanding -- is quite another.

All people matter. Using one body to kill so many others has to be one of the gravest sins possible.