Blog Archives - On the Wing of an Angel

Innocence

11/30/2015

Ally, skipping through iife…

Is there anything more beautiful than the innocence of a child? Ally, as you can see here, is literally skipping through life. There's a constant "beat" in her mind and heart. She experiences daily joy. What a blessing for her!

How are we "skipping" through Advent thus far? Truly it is a time of quiet waiting. As I look back on this day, I choose to remember the good parts.

Advent

11/28/2015

Tomorrow marks the beginning of Advent. I always think of Advent as a time of anticipation, patiently waiting for the celebration of the most important birth ever….that of Jesus.
I still marvel at the blind faith, simple trust and obedience of Our Blessed Mother when the angel appeared to her. Can you imagine what that must have been like for her?! And she said Yes without hesitation.
And I wonder...
Do I hesitate to say yes to things out of my comfort zone?
How can I expand that zone?
My trust often wavers….how can I strengthen it, without going back to the memories of a time when all my trust was in Jesus….and in the end it seemed as if Jesus abandoned me?
Blind faith is another puzzle. I think all of us put blind faith into practice every day…when we get up and go through the day, knowing (assuming) we will accomplish that which we set out to do. It doesn't compare to the depth of Mary's blind faith experiences.
Finally, how can I prepare for this holy season of anticipation? How can I best be ready for the birth of Our Lord? What gift shall I bring for the newborn baby in the manger?

What are you called to do this Advent?
Blessings on the journey…….

Season of plenty….

11/25/2015

Tis the eve of Thanksgiving…..or as some think of it….two days before Black Friday. I think we miss the boat a lot of times in not paying more attention to this beautiful feast of gratitude. There isn't a person on the face of the earth who has not had to deal with loss….many life altering losses…..what comes to mind first and foremost, of course, is the death of a loved one. From there loss takes on many different faces…..the loss of one's health…job loss….home loss….financial worries….loss of self esteem, youth, limitations of aging. Let's face it….grief is hard work.

BUT in the midst of our losses and the disappointments of life, there ARE things to be grateful for. A wonderful Lutheran pastor, Granger Westberg, used to say "Practice an attitude of gratitude." I've suggested to people to write just one thing you are grateful for every day. It doesn't have to be earth shattering, or lengthy ….just simple….like today I'm grateful that our children are coming for the weekend. Actually that is a biggee!!!!!
I am also grateful that I have been blessed with a wonderful husband.
Today I'm grateful that our Christmas decorations are up….and that I found the angel ornament who changes colors….and the little hand crafted ornaments the kids have made….and the butterfly ornaments our son brought us from China….and all the little candles that are specific for Christmas…..all the things I pack away each year after Christmas along with the memories ….
But I'm also grateful that I have the ability to express myself….
that I'm not confined in any way….
that I can enter my church every morning and find solace in the stillness of the sanctuary….
I member how my Mom used to tell us she was from a different planet and that she had been sent here to teach people to love.
There are times, of course, when my broken heart aches for our little one, Meggan, and I don't feel much like celebrating…or finding anything to be grateful for at that moment….the clouds are dark and heavy, and I cannot see her light. But, I've come to learn that is okay and that at some point it will get better.

As we enter this season of gratitude, let us remember our blessings and keep focused on the good things. Take the difficult times moment by moment.

I wish you love….peace …. joy….and hope!

Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas

11/21/2015

Ah, yes…..our first snowfall ……. 8-10 inches. Only in the midwest can you have 70s one day, several days, then suddenly a blizzard hits!!!! Beautiful, but the difficulty was that it is the very wet snow!!!!!! ....

Angels...

11/18/2015

Meggan…..we love you

11/17/2015

Nothing will ever make your death "right." When people die at the hands of others who are reckless, it can never be justified…ever. And as much as people want to believe that there is a reason for everything….and good comes out of every bad thing…..not so. Life is not better since you died and there really was no reason other than a few kids were reckless and didn't think about the consequences of their actions. I'm quite sure they don't even recall that this is the day you died. You came into this world and I was the first to hold you. When you left, I was the last to hold you. If only we had been given a miracle….missing you forever, Meggan. Your smile …. God, how I miss your smile.

Meggan

11/15/2015

It makes no difference how many years it is since you were killed, Meggan. The memories remain. And more and more I'm sure you were an earth angel.
My mother heart will never heal.

When tragedy strikes

11/14/2015

Paris….such a beautiful city! Yet, in the last 24 hours , there is tremendous tragedy. Innocent men, women and children killed. They were unknowing victims. Yet they became the target of someone else's rage. Surely Jesus is weeping.
I light one tiny candle in hopes of bringing light to the darkness.
Pray for peace….

All I want for Christmas is…..

11/12/2015

Our beautiful, blue eyed granddaughter, Ally, worked very hard on her Christmas list. It contained everything from a new bike helmet to earrings to (clothes, of course) to a REAL KARAOKE machine.
But the second item on her list was by far the best so far.
Yup, our little Ally Elizabeth wants SANTA CLAUS…..not just for a visit but to stay on permanently. Dream on, my little one.

Memories...

11/9/2015

Memories are a wonderful gift from God…..but some memories are far too painful. They steal upon us like a thief in the night, often without warning. Meggan's beauty was inside and out. She was a spiritual, loving, inclusive child……didn't shun people but took them under her wing. This picture helps to block out the horrendous picture in my mind of our little girl lying on a gurney, unable to communicate, fractured skull, internal bleeding, beautiful face so bruised…..

Our beautiful Meggan, just months before she was killed.