“Don’t be proud. You are allowed.” This little bit of doggerel came to mind this morning at mass. From me? From God? Who knows? But it’s right on.
What does it mean? Here I am, half-way to 87, and I got up this morning, hopped into my Jeep, and attended 7:30 mass. (I’m short, and getting up into the Jeep does require a literal leap.) It was 14 degrees out there and the windows were covered with frost. Before mass a few of us pray morning prayers, alternating, the left side, then the right, but this morning I was the only one responding on the right. I did OK even though reading out loud has always been one of my bugaboos. I was feeling pretty pleased with myself.
People are always commenting on how well I’m doing at my age. No cane, no walker (. . .yet. They don’t see me staggering around the house.) How I still have my hair (like I actually will it to grow! And it puzzles me that I have any left, considering all I find on the floor.) How I do my own blogging (spend 60 years at a typewriter/computer and some skills are bound to stick.) How my mind is still sharp (if you really knew how much less sharp it is, you’d be as amazed as I am dismayed.) How I pray at the abortion mill twice a week (they don’t know that there are leg warmers over my long johns under my slacks and I can hop into a warm vehicle when I get too cold.) And so on.
We all have talents and aptitudes that we take for granted and don’t appreciate. Yet we are painfully aware that others have talents and aptitudes which we lack. Others are prettier, shapelier, smarter, more articulate, better informed. They sing better, dance better, are more outgoing. We can develop our native talents and hone our aptitudes but the fact that we have talents and aptitudes to start with is not of our doing.
What the message I received this morning was saying is, “Yes, you are able to do all this stuff, but don’t get all puffed up about it. You were allowed to go to mass this morning. Today you can do it. You don’t know if you will be able to do it tomorrow.” All is grace; all is gift.
Yesterday I had a follow-up thyroid ultrasound. We will see what next week will bring, won’t we?
~~~
From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing after another. — John 1:16
This was awesome . . . . helping to keep me on track, thank you!
Blessings,
Peggy (aka: Soutenus)
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Hi dear Dorothy
I loved this post. I don’t get around to read your blog near as much as I’d like, but I see you’re right up front sharing your Faith regularly. Good for you!
But don’t get too puffed up about it! How true, as you say. Today we’re allowed to do all we are able, but tomorrow holds no such promise. Each day is pure gift whether we can do little or much. At the end of the day, we can give it all to God: The successes are all His, the failures are all ours.
May God continue to Bless you in all you do. It’s wonderful that He allows you to be so productive, amazing all who witness it.
Thanks for your candid and humble post.
Have you reported anywhere the results of your thyroid ultrasound?
Love and Prayers for you.
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Dorothy Vining reply on February 13th, 2010 4:05 am:
Thank you so much for your comments. I should take the time to comment more to others, including your blog. I so much appreciate your thoughts about caring for Clinton and your spirituality. Oh yes, the ultrasound was “no significant change, no biopsy required, repeat in 2-3 years.” With love.
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