GOD'S HEALING LOVE!

We pray today, for the dead, the victims of the shocking mass slaying at Fort Hood Texas...And we shake our heads at the senseless, insanity that drove the gunman to murder innocent people.

I wonder at the intense interior isolation, desperation and hopelessness...that triggered the bizarre behavior...from a psychiatrist-no less. A doctor trained to treat mentally ill people...schooled in the solutions to complex mental health issues...Someone who knew how to make healthy choices...and what he should do when darkness and despair threatened to drive him mad.

When a human being snaps, losing all sense of the value of life-their life and the lives of others...It is an extreme example of the numbness that comes when that person is separated from their higher power. There may be other factors, but there is always a shift in consciousness from the will of the divine which has destined us for good, not for evil. The shift may be gradual, may be affected by chemical imbalances, trauma or disease...but the separation from God happens nonetheless-opening the door to a spirit of anger, hatred and yes-even death.

So be vigilant, steadfast in your faith-and fervent in your prayers...Open your heart to the possibility of healing, so that the light of truth will protect you from the lies that wreck our lives and lead us away from God and his unconditional, healing Love.

A FULL HOUSE!

Our home is full this week..as it should be. The sounds of laughter and Love and old fashioned family fun are bouncing off the walls in this big bear of a house.

My sister and my soul sister Kat have descended upon our world, having crossed the mountains and the miles from the shores of sunny California-to the lush marshlands and bayous of New Orleans Louisiana. It's a brave new world for them...A world away from their quiet, peaceful surroundings with Boris and Sophie their beautiful dogs. A house full of boys is quite a match for man's best friend...because the activity never ceases.

It seems like forever since they last visited...and the kids are really enjoying their company and the attention. Last night we ate homemade sea weed wraps with lobster and sushi rice, tomatoes and cucumbers. It was almost too pretty to eat. Tonight a medley of veggies and prawns put smiles on the hungry faces gathered around the kitchen table. Swoop--in a few short minutes the dishes are emptied and the tummies are full.

Family is the one commodity that we can never get enough of...even though it's one of the great gifts people often take for granted. In our home we have learned the power and the value of the family and the pitfalls of people who put themselves first. We've watched our Loved ones rally their support while wrestling with our problems. It's a wonderful vision of bonding and devotion that puts all the challenges perfectly in place.

California and Louisiana are worlds apart...But who would have thought earthquakes are a far less ominous fear than hurricanes?! Having lived around the world, I understand that fear of the unknown-takes precedent. But it's still funny to hear how differently my sister and I feel about natures inevitable wrath.

My siblings and I are military brats and we've moved and maneuvered our way through our lives, a lot more than we liked. Making memories that last are important to me-so that my children will never miss out on the family bonding that makes sense of our lives while bringing serenity to our souls.

HEALING SERVICE

I attended a healing service tonight, because I have a lot of people I'm praying for and I figured if I can't get them there-I'd go in their place. It's quite acceptable to do that...To be a stand in for one or two or many Loved ones who need a healing. So that's what I did...I stood there and asked God to intercede on their behalf and give them that miracle healing that will make them whole...And if you're reading this, you know who you are!

I know I have some kinks in my armour...but it dawned on me tonight...to pray for a complete healing of my heart. When the heart is healed the heavy emotional wounds that keep hurting us and separating us from God and others eventually slip away. Everything not only feels different, it looks different and so we react differently.

Father Richard Mcalear brought his healing ministry to New Orleans this week as part of the Catholic Charismatic Renewal. As I watched the faithful raise their hands in praise and worship, some of them speaking in tongues, I felt grateful to be among so many deeply faithful people. I also felt grateful for the crosses I have carried and the healings I have already received. There is no greater joy, than to know that God has rescued you from the dark abyss of despair...There is no greater gift you can give to someone else-than to share with them the gift of your resurrection.

It often takes what seems like forever to recognize that the grace that carried you through, is abundantly available...and completely transferable to those we Love. Every time we drop to our knees in prayer or raise our hands to the heavens on someone's behalf-God is listening-and Loving every minute of your steadfast belief.

I know only time will tell, but I firmly believe that tonight's healing service has triggered some pretty distinctive divine intervention...and so the miracles are already in the making!

SILENCE IS GOLDEN!

There are a lot of things I'd like to write about here...but I don't. There are some things that are better left unsaid...or unwritten. So-instead-I do a lot of talking to myself as I run through the park in the morning, or when I drive in the car...and then of course I get carried away...and end up apologizing to God for the things that are better left unsaid...But of course-God isn't judging me because he's the best therapist around and if I can't vent to my higher power then-well, I might end up saying something I regret to someone I care about and God knows and I know-that's really not cool.

A lady made me laugh when she said she has a whole committee making decisions in her head...Long drawn out discussions to decide how to deal with the latest personal dilemma. It was such a funny thing for her to admit, because it made her sound like "Sybil" with multiple personalities...When in fact, this woman is probably saner than most, because she's willing to openly admit to her private group therapy sessions.

I know from personal experience that when too many random thoughts begin ricocheting around inside my head, that means I'm either over tired, overwhelmed or overly anxious...and it's time for some quiet, reflective prayer. Sometimes, the best prayer-is sitting in silence, while letting God do the talking. If I sit long enough...in silent reflection...all the internal noise disappears and a sense of peace and tranquility transcends all the testy thoughts, leaving me feeling lighthearted and Loving.

Quite frankly, that usually leaves me speechless-which can be a good thing...And now that I think about it, that's probably why they say silence is golden.

YO YO'S

What goes around, comes around. Now it's yo yo's.
Yep that timeless turning, spiraling toy that kept us entertained as children...has now made a comeback with this generation of kids.

My kids received their "free hand" yo yo's today in the mail-thanks to Uncle Robert-and the spinning tricks began.

I'm all for anything that gets them away from the TV or the video games or the Internet...Basketball, wiffle tennis and now yo yo's. Some pretty wholesome fun-just like when I was a kid. Of course, those were the golden, olden days when kids
rode their bikes and climbed the trees and played hop scotch. At least that's how I remember it-but then I've been known to have selective memory...Some sort of self protection mechanism I'm sure.

With all the other things flying around us right now, I'm happy to watch my kids engaging in some old fashioned innocent fun. It really is the simple things in life that make me happy.

BEN'S HOME

I Love cool weather...there is something about the crisp, cold breeze that calms the soul and soothes the hurting heart. It felt good this morning as I walked through the park, thinking about where we are and how far we've come and where we are headed...one day at a time.

Ben said goodbye yesterday to the staff and the friends he made at Riveroaks Hospital...That part of his journey has come to a peaceful end...Now we begin the daily process of putting into practice the coping mechanisms he's learned to handle his disease. Monday, he starts school and in the evenings he'll continue seeing a counselor and attending group sessions, because that's what it will take to keep him healthy-for now.

It's the little things that make me feel better. He's laughing again and engaging in games and activities with his brothers-just like I remember, before he got sick. Last night some friends came by and picked him up for a movie...And today he's off to the park and then his Jesuit High School football game. It's normal teenage fun, ...but for Ben, they're hugely positive steps. A couple of months ago he could barely drag himself out of bed...Today, he's showing a zest for life that is infectious.

Ben is worried about the holidays...anxious about visiting relatives where food is the primary focus. He believes, everyone will be focusing on him and what he's eating. So, we may be staying home, away from the people and the pressure. He may need more time to merge into the settings that seem to cause him strain.

It's really up to Ben. This is his recovery and he sets the standards...saying how he feels, what he needs and what he doesn't want to do. If he can find the strength to speak up and speak out for himself, he'll do fine...and the rest of us will just have to follow his lead.

It will be challenging, but recovery from any disease, can be an unexpected gift. It somehow removes the really dumb ideas and replaces them with an elevated knowledge about life and Love, God and family and all the things that really matter in this life.

All that matters to me right now, is that Ben is home and happy and hopeful about his future. In my book-that's a really big blessing!

A CHILD'S DREAM

It takes patience, perseverance and parents to turn the tide. It also takes a whole lot of faith, hope and trust.

The wayward wanderings of so many of our youth is from the willful neglect-of their parents. Getting the parents to understand, to make the touch choices to help their child or even to sacrifice just a little piece of themselves-for their children's peace of mind...Now that's a mountain that some parents simply refuse to climb. I'll personally, never get it. Why some parents don't really want the kids they so freely brought into the world...and why they would rather focus on themselves and forget their offspring-even when death is knocking at their child's door.

So often in meetings, I hear the painful stories of hopes and dreams, destroyed by sex or drugs or alcohol...and fueled by the lack of Love at home. Kids who fear their future, because they lacked the Loving support from their parents. A debilitating emptiness, feeds the despair that begins destroying the very fabric of the human being, while robbing them of their dreams.

Kids need dreams...and when they're young they need dream makers...Role models who show them honorable success does not come at the risk of forsaking their young.

Sometimes-in this world, all a child has is a dream...When that's taken...What's left? Where do they turn? Why should they even care? In the last few weeks I have seen a lot of heartache among young people...heartache that could have been averted, could still be averted...by a Loving parent. It doesn't take much-but it means so much...to a child.

"Parents wonder why the streams are bitter, when they themselves have poisoned the fountain." JOHN LOCKE

"To maintain a joyful family requires much from both the parents and the children. Each member of the family has to become, in a special way, the servant of the others." POPE JOHN PAUL II