Miracle Moments

She still feels like my mother in law.. But these days she feels more like a friend. Grammy as the grand kids call her...with Paw Paw right by her side-cooks up one delicious pot of red beans and rice...the traditional Monday night staple in homes...all across New Orleans-and throughout Louisiana. We gathered at her house for dinner in honor of Mackie who turned 20 when Grammy was out of town...for grandparents day in Memphis Tennessee. When you have given birth to seven kids...you're almost assured of a posse of third generation energizer bunnies. As I watched my five sons inhaling their food, exhaling their comments...interacting with their dad and thoroughly enjoying this rare blessing...I thought- how blessed I am to have been given this gift of life...my own...my children...their father, his mother and her beloved husband...All on loan to make this world a brighter, bolder and unquestionably-noisier place. I can assure you there is never a dull moment, or a quiet one...or an a

"You are in this world, but not of it." I chuckled to myself as the speaker quoted scripture, and then asked us to analyze the depth of those words. I've heard them lots of times...most profoundly several years ago--in my head. Following an embarrassing public incident, that dragged on for months...at exactly the moment I needed encouragement, God spoke to me..."It doesn't matter what they think...you are not of this world, you are mine." I felt peace and a profound sense that all would be well...and eventually, it was. During those difficult months, I drew strength from God who was not only guiding me but giving me the courage necessary, to turn my complete trust over to his perfect power. As I shared that memory with the group and my view of the scriptural quote, the speaker smiled saying, "God sent you a "post it" through the mind spirit connection, because you were open." I've come to understand that-being open-means "Being i

Think about it. "We don't see things as they are, we see things as we are." "Growing will change our vision." The lecturer's words wowed me with their simple wisdom. If we want to change the world around us, we have to change. Change begins with our thoughts...Our thoughts form the words, which form the deed, which form the habit, which form our character...and consequently -in this cycle-our character becomes the source of our thoughts...So we must be consistently sure, that our first thought...is driven by Love and service to others. Our thoughts are the engine that drive everything-full circle. It's estimated that every human being has hundreds of thousands of thoughts every single day...so that's one powerful engine! Clearly, thoughtless thinking leads to tearful tragedies...Taking a daily personal inventory...practice, practice, practice-may not make us perfect...but it will lead to progress...spiritual progress -which leads to an enlightened ch

I Love this! "Sometimes God calms the storm. Sometimes he lets the storm rage-and calms his child." Those little words of wisdom stared me in the face tonight...nicely framed and hanging on a wall directly in front of where I was sitting. "Fine," I thought...I get the picture and the personal message. God always has a way of getting my attention and giving me what I need to hear exactly when I need to hear it. The storm waters are surging-so what else is new? I am. I'm consistently calm, surprisingly serene and practicing what I preach...easy does it. The storms come and go...raging all around us...the eye of the storm scares us into over reacting...But we can stand at the fringe and carefully weigh our options while protecting ourselves against any flying debris. Someone or something is always trying to suck us into the vortex of activity that steals our peace and sends us flying off the deep end into the churning waters of discontent. That's when the hurri

25 women pouring their hearts out to each other, honestly sharing their stories, opening up to strangers who are just like them, with familiar tales of lives and loves gone topsy turvy. It's a beautiful vision to behold and a wonderful gift to receive...making friends with people who don't lie or cheat or betray or reject or steal or seduce the life out of you. It is powerful testimony to the fruits of being honest with themselves first, so they can be honest with one another. Tonight the women talked a lot about their fears on the flip side of faith. They are still hanging on to the same old tapes that once replayed the same old mistakes. They shared how they struggle with letting go and letting their higher power take hold of those fears...How difficult it is to fling those fears into the fiery furnace...for the final blaze of glory. But as I listened to their sharing-as I looked into their eyes...I saw only freedom-from the chains that bound them...from the past that held th

       If you think your kids aren't thinking-believe me-they are.         My 10 year old son Zachary sat down next to me last night, showed me his vocabulary list and said, "Look at this word." 'Temperance...a collective effort to stop people from drinking alcohol altogether.' Puzzled I asked him, "Does it really mean that?" "Yes," he replied. Retrieving his history book, he pointed to the bold print-TEMPERANCE. As I read further, the paragraph described the serious problem of alcoholism in the 1800's...which led to increased crime, family problems and mental illness. "Wow! I had no idea!" I exclaimed.  Zachary replied matter of factly, "They should get rid of all alcohol...it does cause a lot of problems for people." His serious tone touched me. His youthful wisdom inspired me.       My kids miss very little...maybe because some lessons hit home. They've watched me-their mom- move through recovery --a journey in w

As I sat on my front steps this weekend, it suddenly dawned on me that my trees were no longer bare. The branches brimming now with beautiful leaves blowing in the breeze. My son Jacob asked, "How did that happen-where did they come from?" "The leaves were always there," I replied. And they were-just waiting for the right time to burst onto the scene...waiting for the chill of Winter to fade into the warmth of Spring...waiting for the cycle of life to breathe new life into the barren branches that stood erect through the cold and the wind and the rain...waiting for the exact moment when the forces of nature would finally free them from their slumber. People are like that too. One day they're empty and barren and barely able to breathe...The next day they're alive and energized, enthusiastic and hopeful. After months or years of chilling despair and debilitating disease, they are suddenly wide awake...reborn with a spirit of serenity and love, courage and tru

A mom's minor miracle today. All five sons made it to Mass with me. No cajoling, arguing or threats...It wasn't a holiday or a feast day or Christmas or Easter...but prime time to honor one of our own...as he passed from the teens to the twenties...My second son today turned 20. We call him Mac or Mackie for short...but He carries my maiden name McCall into the future-along with his clever mind and savvy, unpredictable wit...Mac is quiet and unassuming, but he makes a statement with his good looks and unusual flair for dress...When he was just four-a photographer snapped his picture and the next day he stood smiling in the newspaper, baseball cap backwards, plaid shirt and jeans, sweatshirt tied around his waste...spilling silly putty all over the schoolyard...which by the way is where he also attracted the many felines who used to call our house in the fourth grade...Can you imagine? For as long as I can remember, Mac's been a chick magnet...But he was born too cool to ca

Always remember-Love has a life of its own-even after death. My girlfriend buried her husband today after months of hoping and praying and believing -that a medical miracle may be right around the corner. She fought for his life...prayed for his healing...stood by his side, inside the hospital, during the long difficult months after his near fatal heart attack. She kept us all updated, detailing his progress in almost daily e-mails that were written with the precision of her well trained mind...a Theologian's mind. She kept the flame of hope alive with the intensity of her faith...and her complete surrender to the will of her God, who has carried her through a multitude of personal challenges and motherly heartaches. But as Judy has learned too many times, sometimes God's plan isn't our plan...Sometimes God is ready for our loved ones...anxious to see them...and happy to give them all the joy and the peace and the Love- that heaven has to offer. Sometimes- God simply says-i

I've been cutting myself a little bit of a blogger break-so bare with me. These last few days have been challenging, but hopeful...and by the time I sit down to think-the squeeky wheels in the well worn brain aren't pumping at full throttle. But that's okay, because this too shall pass on over to the past tense column- right next to the old tapes that I don't like to play much anymore. In fact, I feel pretty good that I can even cut myself a break, because too often-I try to shove it all in and in the long run, that really doesn't work too well, or read to well-because it's not well thought out. So please be patient-as I've been learning these last few days...it is a virtue that, given time gets you to the exact place you want to be in your heart and even further if you just let loose of the longstanding drive to plow through the maze even when you can't see clearly--because you're just too tired to connect the dots. So thank you for your patience,

My driveway has become a wiffle tennis court... Never heard of it? Me neither-not until Zack and Jake became pros. It's not tennis and it's not paddle ball...but somehow...it's the game du jour for my kids and their classmates at Christian Brothers School in City Park. In fact, sometimes I can't get them to get into the car when I arrive to pick them up because they're so caught up in the game. Who would have thought that a simple brightly colored plastic paddle with holes...and a plastic ball with holes...could keep them occupied for hours? What an unexpected gift! After searching high and low...we ordered the paddles through a magazine...and they finally arrived today...right in time for the sunshine of early Spring...and one week after exams...which thank the Lord-went a-ok. I smiled as I fixed them dinner, watching these little lads play to victory, outside- away from the video games and the TV-the computer and all the mechanical trappings that turn our kids int

I started writing about something tonight...but a family dilemma took my time, my energy and my undivided attention. It was a difficult situation-but not insurmountable...and as I walked through the minefield, tip toed through the ticking time bomb...I felt relieved and grateful, that I was calm and at peace, clear headed and sober, strong-yet compassionate...but most of all optimistic. I knew-beyond a doubt- how to safely maneuver my way home. You see-these days-there is very little that can shake me. I've been through too much-too much pain and suffering, too much heartache and loss...too many disappointments and betrayals. Ugly doesn't scare me anymore...in fact-very little makes me quiver. Tested by fire-life's little ups and downs-don't get me down for long...because my auto-pilot keeps me focused and feeling safe...full of hopeful possibilities and unlimited potential. And so-as I call it a night, earlier than usual...I'll make one last call to my higher power

I sat in a meeting last night and watched the anger bubble up and boil over... bitter words, caustic responses...the slamming door, the rush to defend...Humanity at its weakest...wound up, woefully worked up and wrongfully wielding an unrelenting weapon...rage. For me-it was the saddest picture. One huge temper tantrum. It brought back distant memories of a life that has died...and disintegrated into the dust bins of the devil's dirty little handiwork. C.S. Lewis would have a field day with this scene...and probably another best seller. My life lessons are many-but my lack of control over the lives of others ranks right up there with the daily decisions that define my life today. And I'm glad. It's exhausting thinking you can be the CEO and V.P. of the universe, maneuvering men and women into compliance with their higher calling. Saving lives-saving souls is a lofty goal...somebody's gotta do it...But I'm learning it's not me...I'm letting the real mover and

I have a friend who is not sure if he's an atheist or an agnostic. Another old buddy used to be an agnostic, now he's a Christian and a minister at his church, when he's not anchoring the news. Newsweek editor, Jon Meacham says you can't be an atheist if you don't know anything about religion. I like that answer...I've been thinking about those words all week-since I first stumbled on an article written by Meacham's friend, Washington journalist and socialite, Sally Quinn. The article appeared in the November issue of Oprah Magazine. Quinn called herself an atheist...wore her label proudly...for years...until her son was born-with a hole in his heart. That's when self will, gave way to soul reflection. She cried out to the unimaginable -to God...pleading for help...praying for a miracle...in a mother's desperate attempt to save her child' life. Her son Quinn didn't die...but he has lived with nonstop medical and learning problems. Quinn says-

A man I know, stopped me in the store and told me he'd been talking to God for me and my family. In fact, he said he'd been praying for me and the father of my children for one year. I was deeply touched. Think about it. To know that someone-a man- felt inspired to take the time and the attention and the effort to storm the heavens on my family's behalf-for 365 days-is perhaps one of the most poignant examples of God in action. It doesn't get much better than that! Oh-but it does! We talked a little and then he said, "Let's pray together"...Taking my hands we bowed our heads and there-standing in the middle of Sam's Club, he prayed out loud...asking God to bless my family and urging the Blessed Mother to wrap her mantel of protection around us. Never once did he look embarrassed or ill at ease or cautious about who may be looking...In fact he responded so naturally that I even got lost in the moment and forgot where we were and that people were watchin

Riding my kids home from school, 11 year old Jacob asks, "What does that mean?" 'I LOVE YOU...NOW GO AWAY.' He was reading the headline on the front of an Oprah magazine their grandmother had given me. "It means that sometimes you need some time apart from the one you Love...to recharge your emotional batteries so you don't let life get in the way of your Love." I thought my reply was pretty good. But of course-he one upped me. "Or maybe it's better the second time around," Jacob replied. I said, "You mean the second marriage?" "No," he replied, "The second marriage to the same person." My eyes grew wide, "What do you mean?" In his wisely youthful innocence -he said matter of factly, "Sometimes when you've been married a long time and you get mad at each other and fight, you break up and start another relationship. But then you find that relationship is really not any better and the things yo

I've been given my marching orders. To be an example of divine Love in a fallen world. How great does that sound?! How on earth do I do that? Literally? The ending of the novena I attended brought the beginning of personal responsibility. The 9 day prayer to the mom of Mary, St. Ann, paved the path to connecting the human will with the divine will. Mary the feminine face of God, gave it her all...standing firm in her faith despite the persecution, the betrayal and the rejection of the religious and the secular who crucified her son. Imagine standing up to everyone across the board--believing in your child because you know in your soul, that he was sent by a power greater than anyone can ever imagine-to save souls. Sounds a little wacky when you think about it...but when you pray-and meditate and study Mary's life-amazing insights are revealed. She had feelings and fears and insecurities just like the rest of us. But her rock her -revelation-required only one response...to belie

Everything looks different when your child is behind the wheel. The parked cars look dangerously close, thirty miles an hour feels like forty and it seems to take twice as long to get to where we're going. My fifteen year old, Ben, drove to school this morning. I rode shotgun, his brothers prayed in the backseat. The saving grace is that we only live about ten minutes from his High School...The reality is..rush hour traffic, is rush hour traffic. But, I was bound and determined to stay calm. No flailing hands or guttural sighs, no panicked pleas or sudden screeches...Just "calm" mom, sweetly singing his praises. 10 year old Zachary shouts out, "Is he doing better than Johnny and Mackie when they first drove?" One millisecond pause and my brain spit out, "Yes-of course!" Who am I to cast doubt on my driver when my life, his life and the lives of his brothers are in his hands, wrapped around the driving wheel. Self confidence is half the battle...and bes

We moved to the desert-in the summer of my senior year in High School. Imagine that. Moving from Tampa Florida across country to Victorville California. Leaving behind the sandy beaches for the dusty dirt of the desert. Saying goodbye to friends and familiarity and entering the land of cactus and snakes and other creepy crawlers. As unsettling as that seemed, I was bound and determined to face the difficult challenge-and my new school-head on...so I tapped into a hidden talent--tennis. Hours of practice earned me a spot on the tennis team...the A team no less...and I even won enough matches to earn the coveted "letter"...and a close group of girlfriends. By being open to the experience, I received unexpected blessings...and I even learned to appreciate the mystical beauty and the serenity of the surrounding hills that had become my new playground. Over the years I have had many desert experiences...some logistical, others emotional...But today I understand that the simplicity

I'm tired tonight. I hopped in the car at 2:45 this afternoon...and didn't arrive back in my driveway until 7:45pm. My road trip began when I picked up two carpools, drove five kids across the river for rugby, drove back across the river and across town to pick up my college son whose car is disabled, drove him back across town to work...got caught in an hour of drive time traffic, stopped to get the other two rug rats something to eat before we headed back across the river to watch the game...Of course-my car battery died in the parking lot, in the cold night air, since my son Jacob chose to stay inside and study with only the overhead lights on...My friend, Andrea, the judge gave me a jump and away we went to the warmth and safety of our home. I immediately stood for ten minutes under the hot water pouring out of the shower-which is where I would have liked to have spent the night...if I hadn't had homework to do...their homework of course, but it might as well be mine -s

God's trying to tell me something-again... Thankfully, these days, I'm all ears. The messenger was a woman I had just met today, at the novena I'm attending. She said during the Mass she had a vision of me, wearing a crown of thorns. The priest who was saying the novena, removed the thorns and placed them on the altar. Then she heard a message "You made your bed now lay in it." Next, she saw a bed covered with roses...and the Blessed Mother from Medjugorje, stood over the bed. The young woman, I've learned, has been active in the Charismatic movement...a very holy woman who lives a very gentle, spirit filled life. I was touched by her words...and by her wonder at what God was revealing to me. She said, she had no idea-what it meant...but that maybe-someday- I would come to understand the significance of her vision. I think I know, and in time, the true value and purpose will come to light. That's the thing about visions and messages and miracles and heaven