Miracle Moments

Jacob called me outside this afternoon, "Look at the rainbow." As I peered into the sky, right above our home, the faint colors of a rainbow, broke through the clouds. Zachary said, "It means peace." I had to agree. The rainbow symbolizes God's covenant with his people. His promise to be there through all the storms of our life. Rainbows usually appear after major storms...reminding us when we are feeling bruised and battered, that God is with us-and this too shall pass. There are many soft and subtle shades to a rainbow...like the many different hues of hope in our lives. Today, the rainbow reminded me of just how happy we are to have each other and the sense of peace in our home even amid the storms that are hovering over us. Together, as a family, and with a lot of help from the heavens we may be harassed, but we will never be destroyed!

I am feeling especially grateful today-for all the blessings in my life. I am especially grateful for the gift of surrender that is allowing me to understand how grace is guiding me. Our spiritual growth is directly affected by our willingness to surrender our will to the spiritual vision of our soul which is God's vision for us. God cannot get in the way of our free will, but he can work miracles if we sincerely surrender and align ourselves with his will for our lives. Friday evening I went with my friend Terri and her family to a healing service by a wonderful priest, Fr. Joe Benson. My kids were scattered to the winds, so I felt free as a bird to fly on the wings of whatever the Holy Spirit had in mind for me. After Mass, Fr. Benson invited everyone to line up in front of the beautiful altar, at Blessed Francis Seelos Church in the 9th ward. He prayed over each person individually and delivered an inspired message straight from the heavens. I waited, wondering what he would say

My son Ben walked through the open door into the world he left behind three weeks ago...He walked into the light of day, just beyond the walls of recovery that have been both his saving grace and his personal prison. It was the first time in a long time that I had seen him in a t-shirt and shorts. Inside the chilly hospital he covers his thin body from head to toe in sweat pants, a sweatshirt, stocking cap and socks. As I watched him walk, still thin and pale, I reminded myself, that recovery happens one step at a time, one day at a time. Ben earned a pass for a few hours of fun with family. He made the weight cut-a half a pound a day-and so his long wait-for a few hours of freedom-had arrived. I was so excited for him, wanting to know how he felt-what he was thinking-but he simply said, "Just let me enjoy it." I understood. There are enough questions in therapy, the last thing he wanted to do was evaluate his feelings during his free time. Besides, there is a confusing mi

The most awesome gift came to me this week-gliding on the wings of grace across the miles, over the ocean straight from the pages of my past...A Facebook reunion! My best friend, from my freshman year in college came looking for me-all the way from Ecuador...on Facebook. Cyber travel brought us together for the first time in 30 years. The unexpected reunion is especially amazing because she has been on my mind for weeks...And just last Friday I googled her in hopes of finding a link to her wherabouts...But no such luck. So, you can imagine my ecstatic surprise to suddenly see her e-mail pop up on my computer this week. God-incidences don't get much better than that! My beautiful friend Mili is from Guayaquil where she still lives with her husband and children. As I perused her photo album I saw the same luminous lady of light I Loved so dearly as a co-ed. That effervescent smile and bubbly personality lit up the room wherever she went-and now here she was, lighting up my comp

Bedtime is the best time to get to know what your children are thinking or worrying about or wanting to explore. I snuggle up next to my two youngest sons, say our prayers and inevitably something very serious slips from their lips. Last night Zachary asked, "When children are poor, are they poor and poor and then they get rich and richer? Or are they poor and poor and poor and poorer?" "Depends," I said..."But if you stick with God, you'll always be rich in Love and faith." Not what he wanted to hear, but I use that line every chance I get. As we talked about what was really on his mind, I wished I could protect him from all the worries of the world. But I've learned I cannot...no matter how hard I try-I cannot control the workings of the universe-or the people in it. I am powerless over so many mind boggling, bumbling mistakes...all of them-except my own. One night Zack let out a litany of frustration as he closed his eyes, then said-"N

My 11 year old son Zachary whispered in my ear tonight-"look at the castle behind the priest." "It's an altar," I replied. He was right though-the beautifully carved arches reaching to the heavens looked magnificent! In fact, everywhere my eyes roamed, I saw days gone by, another era, a supernatural world where angels and saints and sinners co-existed and in their midst-the son of God, the savior-the soul of serenity. St. Patrick's Church is a jewel among New Orlean's churches. The historic landmark on Camp street has always felt like home. It inspires memories of all the churches and Cathedrals my mom shuffled me and my siblings into throughout Europe and stateside. The cypress pews, carved elevated pulpit and the 18th century murals are warmly familiar, making me feel safe and secure. I learned my Love for religious architecture and artwork inside the walls of churches just like St. Pat's and so I'm hoping to pass on my enthusiasm to my boy

I sat here trying to think of what I could possibly say on my brother's birthday to honor how I really feel about him. He is by far, one of the most Loving and compassionate men I have ever been blessed to know...To be related is divine lagniappe! As the years have passed, I have watched him evolve into a truly gifted human being-whose true strength rests in his quiet unassuming desire to give to those truly in need. But you will never know what he has done, or is doing or is planning to do...Because he never utters a word, never seeks recognition and never lets on that he is behind the good deeds that somehow flow our way. The greatest gift he has given to me recently-is the example he has set for my five sons. Calling them, coaching them, cultivating a common respect among them...Giving them a sense of self worth and solid footing when they find themselves faltering or fumbling or feeling like failures. "Uncle Robert" tells them-and best of all-shows them-that they

Slowly, but surely, Ben is beginning to smile again. Especially tonight. His middle school football coach, Coach Collins, made a surprise visit...Showing up with the same enthusiasm he shows on the football field. A knowing smile lit up Ben's face as he listened intently to the coach's pep talk. He's good. Knows exactly what to say and how to say it. No wonder the boys perform so well for him on the field. Sometimes that's all a boy needs. A show of affection from a mentor who really cares and cares enough to take the time to tell him so. Ben was one of those football legends at his old school, CBS. Gifted on the field and in the classroom. A great kid with good manners and a great sense of humor. I'm grateful for the extra attention he's getting. An overdose of Love just may push him over the edge into full fledged recovery. Tonight the Love flowed. The revolving door of visitors came and went and the two hour visitation passed so quickly. At one poi

Our biggest blessings are the ones we least expect. God likes to operate that way-throwing us rare rays of light-straight from heaven-so that life here on earth will be brighter. Today, I'm celebrating the birth of my fifth bundle of joy...who burst onto the scene 11 years ago-unplanned, but providentially positioned-to bring up the rear with all the gusto that one little guy can muster. Zachary inspired a feeling of hope in a year filled with pain-the death of my father and my younger sister. I'll never forget finding out that I was pregnant, five months after giving birth to my fourth son...and the same week my father suddenly died of a heart attack. God takes one life home and sends us another. All boy and oh what a boy...bumping up a notch the best of the testosterone talent. Football, baseball, basketball and Lacrosse-you name it...He's a skilled athlete and an amazing sport. Competitively fierce, sensitively strong-he's the kind of team player who puts fun and fai

As I pulled to a stop at a red light in downtown New Orleans today, a disheveled man caught my eye. He wore an over sized shirt, baggy pants and tennis shoes that looked three sizes too big. His shoulders were hunched over and his thinning gray hair framed an unshaven face. A plastic grocery bag swung from his arm as he walked with those big tennis shoes that reminded me of clown shoes. I watched as he stopped in front of a large trash can, reached in and pulled out a brown paper bag that held an open beer can. He put the can to his lips, leaned back his head and tried to take a drink...But the can was obviously empty, so he threw it back into the garbage and shuffled away, muttering to himself. I felt deep sadness for him...Because for him, this may be as good as it gets. There are thousands of homeless people in New Orleans and millions nationwide...In these difficult economic times, the figures are rising. Poverty is at the heart of the problem, but the poverty of the soul, keeps th

Amazing Grace absolutely saved a "wretch" like me! It also saved the song's author, John Newton. The 17th century servant, turned slave trader cried out "Lord save us!" as he sailed his ship through a violent storm. Delivered from near death and instantly converted, Newton believed that God had spoken to him and thus, had given him a new beginning. Guided by the gift of grace, he slowly, but surely began surrendering his will to a higher power that inspired every aspect of his life. Amazing Grace, saved me from despair a few years ago during my stay at Father Martin's Ashley in Havre de Grace, Maryland. The priest would play a tape recording of the song during weekly Mass...and I'd be mesmerized by the supernatural significance for those of us seeking a solution for our troubled lives. Grace is God's gift, and is absolutely available to everyone-anytime-everywhere. No one is exempt...All we have to do is open our hearts and ask for it. You can&

Anger is probably the least understood emotion...and the one we're afraid to deal with the most. On a re-run of Sex and the City, Charlotte tells her friends that she and her husband are in control. "Trey and I don't yell, we're Wasps." Next thing you know they're screaming angrily at each other...releasing months of pent up pain and frustration over not being able to conceive a baby. Their anger camouflaged the heartbreaking truth...Charlotte wanted a child, Trey did not. Eventually, they part ways--peacefully--because they could no longer pretend that they were on the same page. Facing the truth, they faced their pain which put their anger into proper perspective. Righteous anger...Someone stole my car anger...The kind of healthy anger that helps us separate good from bad...That's a natural emotion that no one can deny and which is healthy to feel. But-that uncomfortable anger that eats at our insides, causing us to fly off the handle, exploding emotions

I mentioned to my son Jacob about a controversial discussion some ladies were having about the popular-and yes-controversial book, "The Shack." "That's a great book!" he exclaimed. He caught me off guard. "When did you read that book?" I asked him. "Last year-or maybe in fifth grade. My teacher talked about it and said we should read it, so I checked it out of the school library." Amazing, I thought. As we talked I told him some of the ladies thought the book was heretical...and he said, "I guess the part in the beginning where God is a woman...but if you get through the first half and read the rest of the book, it makes sense, and has a good message," he said. Through the innocent eyes of a child...open minded, moving through the pages without all the prejudices that prevent people from seeing clearly. What a breath of fresh air!

Zachary placed his head in his lap and wept. I wrapped my arm around him and whispered-"I Love you." We had just spent two hours visiting his brother Ben in the hospital before heading to Mass-where the pent up emotions came pouring out. Zack who will be 11 in a few days and his 12 year old brother Jacob, are worried about Ben...Zack told me it's scary seeing him so skinny...and he wondered out loud, "Is he closer to life-or to death?" I cringed at the question..."Life and Love and all the limitless possibilities that God has to offer," I reassured him. Jake thought out loud-"I wonder what is going to happen to Zack and me." "First you, then Johnny, then Mackie and now Ben." I searched for the right words. "I don't think anything is going to happen--but if it does," I said, "We will have the tools and the wisdom to deal with it...and I'll be there for you-every step of the way. Besides-look how well you

The Pierre Principle is poignantly powerful. Helping people put the zest in their lives, by making their dreams their reality. Always positive and perfectly positioned, my good friend Monica Pierre is living her dream and sharing a piece of it with the rest of us. This Saturday, she will be hosting a platform of political pundits who know the ins and outs, the highs and lows, the winners and the losers in the political arena. They'll be sharing years of experience, knowledge and good old fashioned wisdom with an audience of would be hopefuls-wishing upon the rising star of political fame. I smiled when she told me about the idea...Having once been the sidekick of a political novice, I learned the hard way that sometimes, politics is like a poisonous venom that slowly and seductively seeps into the pores of people, placing them and their families in peril. The painful part is that-the power politicians wield for the masses, is the very power that poisons their personal lives. Mon

PRAY, PRAY, PRAY! Our Lady of Medjugorje As I exited morning Mass an old friend grabbed me and asked if I had a child at Jesuit H.S. "Yes-a very sick child," I replied. "Then come with me-the mom's rosary is about to start in the school chapel." The Jesuit mom's began praying the rosary 13 years ago...firmly believing that the power of prayer would heal the hearts of the young adolescent boys who may be considering suicide. They say the prayers are working wonders, since there have been no suicides among the students, since the prayer group began. Today, two of the mother's shared the difficult ordeal of their son's long battles with depression and the suicidal thoughts that often accompany the feelings of hopelessness...and despair...And they said they have drawn incredible strength and comfort in the weekly prayer sessions that are healing their son's hopeless hearts. We prayed the Luminous mysteries...which illuminate the purpose and meaning o

I went outside today and "GRASSBUSTERS" was burning through the bushes...cutting through the weeds and manicuring the front lawn. My 20 year old son Mac told me the first cut is on him...a test to see if he is as good as he says...if the new business he's growing is going to get good reviews. I have to say-they were fast and furious and fully equipped...to make my lawn sparkle and shine...and invitingly fresh. Mac's our entrepreneur...that's what he's studying as a Business major...He's always thinking and planning and figuring out how to make things happen--because he happens to be motivated by his own idea of success. They say success is in the eye of the beholder...and I am beholding one young man who has what it takes to make the most of his life-if he uses the abundance of gifts God has given him. I've never doubted Mac's brains or brawn or boldly unique decisions...I have worried about the world around him and the elusive pull of power that h