Category: Celebrations
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Remembering My Dad
I haven’t bought my dad a Father’s Day present in more than twenty years. He died 22 years ago. But with all the advertising on TV over the past few weeks, I’ve been prompted to think more about my dad, about the kind of dad he was, and about the kind of presents he liked…
Marian
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Remembering
On Memorial Day, patriotic concert planners and parade organizers try to get us to remember the wars our country has fought and the veterans who have made personal sacrifices for the benefit of all of us. That’s a good thing. We need to remember our history and we need to be thankful for the people…
Marian
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Friends
“Good morning, Abbey. You’re up bright and early this morning.” “Yeah. Good morning, Mom. You moms sure got home late last night. I was waiting and waiting and waiting to talk with you, and when you finally came home, you went right to bed.” “I’m sorry, Abbey. I didn’t know you wanted to talk.…
Marian
Abbey, assisted living, Boston bombings, Cambridge, charming gardeners who make our souls blossom, Chicago, comfort dogs, Country Comforts, Country Comforts Assisted Living, dog cousins, friends, friendship, God’s love, Henry Nouwen, hospitality, kindness, Laughter is the best medicine, life calling, life changes, listening for God, love your neighbor, Marcel Proust, North Park University, Nursing Honor Society, reflections, Resurrection Lutheran Church, Sigma Theta Tau, spirituality, therapy dogs, WI, Wisconsin -
Do This in Remembrance of Me
I think I was four years old the first time I wondered about what was going on in church when my mom and dad left Danny and me in the pew with strict instructions to “sit still” while they walked up to the front of the church in an orderly line with all the other…
Marian
blood of Christ, body of Christ, bread and wine, communion, county jail, Do this in remembrance of me, Eucharist, God’s love, Holy Communion, Holy Week, intinction, jail ministry, jungle, Last Supper, Lent, listening for God, love your neighbor, Maundy Thursday, Mexico, missionary, Missionary Training Camp, pillow mints, reflections, sitting still, spirituality, talking with God, Wycliffe Bible Translators -
The Three Big Questions in Life
What a walk! Sunday afternoon was a time for spring fever. Bright blue sky. Snow-covered fields. Temperatures in the upper 30’s. And no wind. Mim, Abbey, and I walked down country roads for well over an hour. The highlight of a weekend of highlights! After that refreshing walk, Abbey and I were ready for the…
Marian
Assisted Living, Book Recommendations, Celebrations, Goals, God’s Love, Life’s Challenges, ReflectionsAbbey, adopted, Andrew you died too soon, assisted living, big questions, big questions in life, birthday, birthday party, Corinne Chilstrom, Country Comforts, Country Comforts Assisted Living, Edward Hays, family, family roots, friends, God’s love, kindness, life calling, life challenges, life questions, listening for God, long walks, Pastor Jeff, Prayers for a Planetary Pilgrim, reflections, spirituality, spring fever, talking with God, walks -
Attitude
In today’s reading of “The Monastic Way” Joan Chittister, OSB, said, “The attitude we bring to every day will determine the character and quality of that day.” For me, that’s a timely statement to read on a Monday morning. That’s when I look ahead to everything on my calendar for the week and everything on…
Marian
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Remembering the past and getting excited about the present
Saturday evening Mim and I went to a fancy Italian restaurant for dinner. We celebrated forty years of living together. As many of you know, Mim and I met forty years ago at a church Bible Study. I had just been offered a job in Chicago and was staying with a friend for a few…
Marian
40th anniversary, Abbey, anniversary, author website, blogging, books, Buffalo Ice Cream Parlor, change in my life, daily devotions, devotional book, friends, Gary Gopher, God’s love, Gregory Goose, hospitality, kindness, life calling, life changes, listening for God, love your neighbor, reflections, reflections on everyday life, remembering the past, spirituality, talking with God, WestBow Press, writing -
Reflections on Christmas from a Church Organist
It’s over. The busiest time of the year for everyone, but especially for church organists, is over. As I look back over this holy season, what were the highlights for me? Celebrating Christmas together with our church family at Messiah Lutheran Church. I played the organ for the 10:00 service on Christmas Eve. This is…
Marian
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Transition Time
It’s official. Whispering Winds Retreat Haven is on break. As of the first of the year, the farmhouse will be home to another family for at least two years. In January of 2015, the farmhouse may reclaim the name of Whispering Winds and come back to life as a B&B-style retreat center again, or it…
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Enjoying Christmas Music to the Fullest
I love Christmas music – listening to it, singing it, and playing it on the piano and organ. The Christmas music season for me begins the Monday after Thanksgiving (today!) and extends at least throughout the week of Epiphany (January 6), and sometimes longer. I like playing Christmas carols from hymnals, but I also like…
Marian
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