Love and Respect – Day 679

Jane and Fr. Tom – The Two Gallaghers; Photo: L. Weikel

Love and Respect

My parents had kids over a span of 18 ½ years. As the youngest, I’ve found myself chasing the love and respect of my siblings for pretty much my entire life. Each of them set an example or raised the bar in some area of their lives that pushed me to strive to be or do my best. I’ve always been trying to catch up to them.

One of the most interesting of my sibling relationships is the one I have with my eldest sister, Jane. My earliest memories of her are as half of a couple with my brother-in-law, Frank*. They were very active in the Marriage Encounter movement of the Catholic Church, so of course Karl and I not only did our “pre-Cana” obligation via an Engaged Encounter weekend, we also participated in a Marriage Encounter weekend within the first couple of years of our married life.

It was obvious to us that ‘the Church’ played a big role in Jane and Frank’s life wherever they lived – be in Massachusetts, Connecticut, or New Hampshire. They always seemed to find a parish where the clergy were open-minded and open-hearted, welcoming and supportive of those less fortunate. In other words, my sister always seemed to find a parish close to home that exemplified the best of Catholic teachings. We weren’t as lucky, which probably played a not insignificant role in my exploration of other spiritual paths.

Haiti

When my sister was right around the age I am now, some 18 years ago, she became active in the birth of a new ministry at the Church of St. Patrick/St. Anthony in Hartford, Connecticut. She was part of an exploratory mission to Haiti laying the groundwork for establishing a sister parish between St. Patrick/St. Anthony’s and a parish in that island nation.

My sister had never been a public speaker. She might be loquacious and unafraid to offer her opinion on a variety of topics one-on-one, but she wasn’t one to grab a microphone or hog a spotlight. So it was a huge deal when she agreed, as an adjunct to her inclusion on the trip, to speak to the parish about the results of her fact-finding mission upon her return. I remember her grousing a bit about having to agree to this responsibility, but feeling she could suck it up if she had to.

I also remember her horror when she discovered – after returning from Haiti – that contrary to her original fear, she wouldn’t have to address the congregation at just one mass. No. She would in fact be required to address the congregation at every – single – mass that weekend. Wow. That was a leap far further than she’d expected.

But what I witnessed was how her passion and commitment to the meaningful growth she believed St. Patrick/St. Anthony’s could experience and share by establishing a sisterly bond with their Haitian counterparts helped her transcend her stomach churning responsibility into a labor of love. Her dedication to that mission lasted many years and translated into several opportunities to be of service in Haiti.

Other Acts of Love

Over the years, Jane has engaged in many other acts of service through the auspices of the Franciscan Order that always seems to have been part of the progressive parishes she’s been lucky enough to be part of throughout her life. She’s engaged in LGBTQ work, assisted in working with the homeless, and knitted countless prayer shawls that have brought peace, comfort, and solace to those yearning for just that.

Meanwhile, she had a ‘little sister’ with whom she shared extremely similar spiritual attitudes, but who pursued them through the ancient ways of shamanism. That could be a big stretch to even admit. Yet she wasn’t embarrassed by me. Rather, I think she takes pleasure in how vastly different our approaches may seem to the outside world, while we nevertheless share the open secret that, ultimately, we’re cut out of the same spiritual cloth.

Celebrating – Photo: L. Weikel

Today’s Proud Moment

And so it was that today I was able to witness a proud moment when Jane was awarded the Francis Medal – a ‘symbol of and connection to Holy Name Province established in 1998. This award is given in gratitude for ways that our partners in ministry have enhanced the Franciscan vision through their participation.’ Jane’s role in establishing the sister parish relationship in Haiti featured prominently in Fr. Tom Gallagher’s expression of appreciation.

His words were all the more poignant meaningful in that today was the celebration of his final masses as Pastor and Guardian of St. Patrick/St. Anthony’s. It was clear from other parts of the mass today in tribute to him that his presence and role in the church and community will be deeply missed.

I’m lucky to have such a wonderful role model as a sister. And I find it particularly amazing and a true gift that we share such a profound spiritual connection while pursuing its expression in vastly different yet deeply meaningful ways.

I’m so proud of you, Jane, both for who you are and the work you’ve contributed – and continue to offer – to your family, the Hartford community, and the world. I’m still trying to keep up. You’re a hard act to follow.

Sisters – Photo: Delia Gallagher Hansen

*Sadly, Frank, far too young, passed away over a decade ago.

(T-432)

Flamingo Medicine – Day 624

Photo: L.Weikel

Flamingo Medicine

It’s funny how things play out in our lives. It’s also fascinating to see how Spirit will sometimes go to extraordinary lengths to get our attention. In the span of just a few days recently, Flamingo ‘medicine’ has appeared in our lives as a clear and obvious messenger of some sort or another.

To be honest, at first I was simply taken with the ‘kitschy’ aspect of the plastic hangovers from the fifties and sixties when we first spotted them lurking in the garden of our next-door neighbor about a week ago. Karl saw them and started salivating with envy and a scootch of “I told you so.”

OK, I’ll admit it. As soon as I saw them and realized someone else had actually taken the plunge, I regretted having scoffed at Karl’s desire a couple years ago to get a pair of our own. I’ll give him credit (now) – he was ahead of the curve, even if that curve arced backward. (There will be a price to pay. I’ll write about that another day.)

Within Days

Odder still was when, just a few days later, we found ourselves practically shielding our eyes from the neon brilliance of yet another pair of flamingos. We discovered these saucy birds perched on the elevated sand mound of yet a different neighbor at least half a mile away from the first.

I have to admit these two were remarkably photogenic, strategically situated such that their gaze naturally falls upon a pond filled with peepers and frogs at the edge of a stand of woods.

While I cannot say I’ve seen a third set of flamingos (which would ‘seal the deal’ that they are appearing as messengers to us), I must admit to being captivated by the second set. Not only do they grab our attention every time we walk past them, but they’ve also managed to yank us out of a couple of rather cranky moods we found ourselves in recently.

Flamingo’s Message

Of course, I took their photo the first time I laid eyes on them. My initial purpose in doing so was, of course, to share them with you. I had the idea in my head that they might serve as fodder for some evening’s silly or whimsical post.

I’m so glad I did take their photo, because otherwise I might not have realized that they were bringing all of us a message that just might serve us in good stead.

Checking my trusty reference book, Animal-Wise* by Ted Andrews, here is something I thought we all might ponder as we enter this final week of July, in this Coronavirus Pandemic year of 2020:

“(…) When the flamingo appears as a messenger or as a totem, we are entering a time of cleansing and filtering to find that which nourishes and heals the heart. It is a time to follow the heart in all endeavors, in spite of the environment we find ourselves in. (…)

We should also ask ourselves some important questions. Are we discerning about that which is most beneficial to us or are we just accepting whatever comes our way? Are we ignoring the things we love to do? Do we need to pursue what is in our heart? Are we ignoring what we are feeling? Do we need to explore our own healing gifts and abilities? Do we need to let others know how we feel?

Now is the time for healing the heart. Follow your own heart in all your endeavors and seek out only that which will heal and nourish what is dearest to you and your own heart.”

When I got the nudge to explore the meaning of Flamingo medicine this evening and share it here, I never guessed the message would feel so perfect, or the questions so provocative.

Flamingo Sky? – Photo: L. Weikel

*affiliate link

(T-487)

What’s Next – Day 452

The Way Ahead – Photo: L. Weikel

What’s Next

If you’d asked me that question two months ago, I wouldn’t have had a definitive answer. No one knows exactly what’s coming next. But I would’ve felt reasonably confident of the trajectory of the handful of things in my life I consider to be most important.

Imagine my surprise, then, to discover that a couple of situations and relationships I might’ve considered ‘sure things’ in my life – aren’t.

Everyone reading this has probably encountered at least one instance in life (or more, if unlucky or, perhaps as in my case, naïve) when you’re motoring along, doing your best to pay attention to the signs and signals in life, thinking or hoping you’re living each day with greater insight and sensitivity, when suddenly you’re walloped.

You don’t see it coming. You’re blind-sided. One or more relationships you trusted, cultivated, and nurtured suddenly burst and scatter to the wind like a puff of breath explodes a dandelion gone to seed.

The Way Forward

When that happens, it’s hard to know what your next steps are. The way ahead is murky. Foggy. Unclear. The seeds, scattered, no longer form the beauty of that dandelion puff you held so lovingly in your hand.

And that’s when having faith kicks in. Knowing that if I follow my heart, step by step, the way will become clear.

I know I’m on the right path.

Perhaps I just need to find better companions.

Photo: L. Weikel

(T-659)