I am blessed.

April 8, 2012

Dear Dad:

I think nothing would be more appropriate on this Easter Sunday than to tell you how blessed I am. You wouldn’t know it necessarily unless you really got to know me, but I am a very proud Catholic woman. And would have to say over anyone in this world, including you, God has had the most impact on my life.

I am grateful that you raised us in a church. I probably didn’t always go willingly, but once I got their I always enjoyed the lessons they taught in Sunday school. Holy Cross was a wonderful church and I had a lot of great memories there. Of course going with grandma and grandpa was always fun and I loved a lot of the old school parishioners, most of which I cannot remember their names. We met so many of our friends there and spent so many of the important holidays there doing some sort of play or another. I was always an “angel” at Christmas time.

As I got older and got to decide whether or not to practice any religion, I still stuck with it. Maybe not every week, but I always found a time and place to pray and always went to God first to get me through life’s biggest trials and tribulations.

Then came the year I got “saved”. I know it was a lot on all of the family, but I really needed it. I was in a dark, lonely place and needed to really focus on better things, which meant lots of prayer and reflection. It was a little to intense for me and for everyone, which is why I finally decided to step back. Thank God for that, right. Everything in moderation.

Over the years, I was always drawn to Catholicism. It was a religion similar to Episcopalian which is what you raised me on. Most of the guys I dated were Catholic and I loved seeing their love of their faith. I really loved learning and connecting to the saints, I loved the special traditions and prayers and most of all I loved Father Roth. He was by far the greatest priest I have ever had the pleasure of spending any time with. I am so glad he was the one who presided over me becoming Catholic, was the one that counseled Arnold and I for our pre-wedding counseling and was the one who baptized Riley. I only wish he had not moved so he could have been there for Chase’s baptism.

Even though I do not wear it on my sleeve, I am still a very blessed Christian. But let’s not kid, I sin daily, maybe even hourly. I have so many faults and so many things I will never be able to get rid of, but I know regardless of it all, I am still loved and protected by God. And I am truly thankful for that.

So on this Easter Sunday, I find it appropriate to give thanks to God for all that he has done and will do for me and my family. I appreciate his love, guidance and support! And I thank him for this very important blessing in my life (and one Father Roth said at the end of every service):

May the road rise up to meet you.
May the wind always be at your back.
May the sun shine warm upon your face,
and rains fall soft upon your fields.
And until we meet again,
May God hold you in the palm of His hand.

Peace be with you,

Angel