Catholic house Blessing

Tom had a house blessing this afternoon. It is something us Catholics do. I am not sure how this tradition got started BUT I don't think Catholic were the one to come up with it. Our daughter in law is Asian and was raised Buddhist and I have been to many house blessings for her family. They would never think of moving into a house before the Monks came and blessed it - they make quite an event out of the whole thing. The Monks come first thing on Saturday morning - usually there are 3 or 4 Monks, all dressed in their orange warps. They burn incense, say prayers and sprinkle blessed water on all the entrances, bedrooms and kitchen. After the Monks have finished and received ample pay (food and money) for their job the party begins. There is more food than one can imagine! There are kids running around having a great time. The food, party and family fellowship last long into the night. Now they have the right idea - but then it has been said that Asians will have a party for the sake of having a party. But - there is more to it than a party, it is the whole family thing that they enjoy. Something that as Americans we have forgotten about. I can remember growing up in a rural area. All of my cousins lived right down the "road". Not a weekend went by that we did not all get together and have a cook out or in - and make ice cream. I never felt alone even though I was an only child. I always had "family" around me and we were always sharing good time, good food and great "cousinship". Now days we are so scattered that our kids don't even know who their cousins are. It is sad that this part of our culture has been lost - that kids now days will never have that feeling of "being" a part of something bigger than they are. For this reason I am thankful everyday that my grandson is part of a "big" loving extended family. As for me I will be there for every house blessing, birthday party, birth party, death party or just a party for a party that my "extended" family has. Being part of something bigger than we are makes living and dieing a bit easier.

If we concentrate on the things that make us alike instead of the stuff that makes us different - we would all learn just how much in common we have.

• Part of Catholic House Blessing

When Christ took flesh through the Blessed Virgin Mary, he made his home with us. Let us now pray that he will enter this home and bless it with his presence. May he always be here among us; may he nurture our love for each other, share in our joys, comfort us in our sorrows. Inspired by his teachings and example, let us seek to make our home before all else a dwelling place of love, diffusing far and wide the goodness of Christ.

Be our shelter, Lord, when we are at home, our companion when we are away, and our welcome guest when we return, and at last receive us into the dwelling place you have prepared for us in your Father's house, where you live for ever and ever.

Amen

Hey, I am the Ya Ya - he can do what ever he wants!

This is the face that I spent the day with! I must admit that it did not look this way all day. This occurred when pizza was served for lunch - it was too hot to hold so he ate it like "Clifford". You know the one "Clifford the Big Red Dog". He is all the rage around our house these days - we just overed the "Thomas the Train" phase. While we still lapse into a Thomas mode from time to time - Cilfford is the big draw. From what I can learn Cilfford lives on a island because he got too big for his house - so his family moved to Birdwell Island. It seems that Clifford is owned by Emily Elizabeth and has a couple of friends, one is named T-Bone. I am a bit fuzzy on the rest of the story at this point. What amazes me is that a 2 year old can remember all this stuff.

We went to eat today and there were several people standing outside - and the kid says "Ya Ya those people are smoking, that is not good". No one in the family smokes so I am not sure where he gained this bit of knowledge. We went to a construction area not far from the house - they are building yet another "SUPER Wal-Mart (not to be confused with a regular Wal-Mart - no this one is much larger and requires the removal of a lot more trees) At any rate it is cheap entertainment for a 2 year old boy. He knows the names of all the equipment - back hole, front end loader and so on - so I can't go wrong with a big belly washer from RaceTrac and a shade tree. That kid will sit there for hours just watching them work.

Then we came home - had to let him terrorize the dog for a bit. Toby lives his life either in my lap or laying next to me. Not much interrupts his day EXCEPT a visit from the kid! It will take Toby all weekend to recover.

I got the kid all sugered up before his parents came to get him - he will not sleep for hours! Be a grand parent is great and pay back is hell!

Here goes nothing - literally nothing

OK - now you can not tell anyone about this blog. It is just between us - you see I a much older than the usual blogger and I don't really have anything of importance to say. Thought this might be a good way to put down a few thoughts from time to time and share some of life's lessons I have been kicked in the teeth with over the pasted 60 years. Maybe I can spare you some expensive dental work.

I am sure you will hear much about my Grandson Hunter 2.5 years old - my dog Toby (Papillon) - My husband Tom who will be put in for Sainthood as soon as he dies by our children for putting up with me all these years. My three kids that are educated way beyond their intelligence. I feel certain I will have to throw in some Catholic guilt and hopefully some humor.