Fears and Tears

A full moon shining orange with the light from the sun. Sunflowers turned to the sky with a bee buzzing nearby. Clear running streams with smooth rocks glistening as the water flows down the mountain. A dove’s cooing heard from above. The golden plains and yellow wildflower prairies that go on for miles. Endless fields of green with stalks of corn stretching upward. The rugged mountains so high they touch the blue sky. These were treasures of the earth on our summer vacation.

This year, on our annual trip to Colorado, we drove 1000 miles each way, and what beautiful sites there are to see. Most of which is lost on the convenient plane ride. The endless stream of truckers on the vast expanse of roadways delivering their goods; the farmers working from the early dawn to late night depending on the weather; the state troopers keeping the roads safe. What a blessing a road trip can be.

The trip began with Mass at my childhood Church I would attend with my grandmother, mother and sister. It is called Guardian Angels and my parents were married there. It is a small Parish and looks much the same as it did when I was a child. The Guardian Angel prayer is prayed at the end of Mass which brought me comfort.

This year, we did not have plans except to visit our family. We were able to get in a movie, bowling and a mountain drive, but it was mostly coming home to see our family. Family is such a blessing and I am grateful for mine. It is not easy being away and missing all the gatherings, celebrations and milestones that come along. It is bittersweet coming back to where so many memories flood my thoughts.

I savored the time spent with relatives. We enjoyed good food, conversation, playing games and being together. The time passed quickly and it seemed we were on our way home again. I feel blessed to have new memories of my family because that is where the light shines, which is a pure and beautiful love that radiates its rays into the depths of our hearts and reaches across the miles.

Thank you God for the gift of the family where You pour out the light of love upon the world. Amen.