21 December 2008

comfort & joy...

first the comfort...
these words keep floating through my thoughts today~~ they are the words i chose for one of the readings for both my parents' funeral Masses. i know i have posted them several times on the blog before this, & today as i remember josiah, they remain a true solace:
"the souls of the just are in the hand of God, and no torment shall thouch them. they seemed, in the view of the foolish, to be dead; and their passing away was thought an affliction and their going forth from us utter destruction. but they are in peace...as sacrificial offerings he took them to himself. in the time of their visitation they shall shine, and shall dart about as sparks through stubble... those who trust in him shall understand truth, and the faithful shall abide with in him in love; because grace and mercy are with his holy ones, and his care is with his elect." (Wisdom 3:1-3, 6-9)
& the joy...
words~~ electronically & hand written...across many miles, even oceans...words that tie us, that bind our hearts...i re-read them & i feel such a joy & a peace...
hands working together...D.'s parents arrived friday night, escaping the great cold & snow of the northeast! their first order of business~~ a flurry of activity in my kitchen, filling our home (& refrigerator) to overflowing with good eats, enabling D. & i to engage in some serious Christmas preparation catch-up! we spent the day driving (ever-so-slowly) from place to place singing carols in the car & chatting with all kinds of friendly folks in the same Christmas-prep boat as us. we finally made it to the UPS store, arms ladened with treasures to send far & wide with some time to spare. oh, what a delight to arrive home to find a delicious meal, compliments of my dear in-laws, & the lights strung on our tree, compliments of our sweet babies...today, it's baking, baking & more baking!! tonight, we decorate our tree & follow with some relaxing & games by Christmas lights & candles. in spite of how i love to travel, there's no place like the comfort of home & the joy of family!

5 comments:

rochambeau said...

Beautiful post qualcosa di bello!
It is the peace that passes all understanding that you write about and everlasting light and life!!
May God bless you and keep you and yours.
Merry Christmas!
love,
Constance

Annie Jeffries said...

What a delight to see my card on your post today, Deb. Thank you for the nod. I'm honored.

We are all dealing with weather it seems. We have rain here so nothing but an inconvenience. Others, like yourself, much be so careful. And then there is our son.

He and Erin are delayed getting out of Portland. Flights throughout the northwest have been cancelled, outgoing and incoming. Eventually they will get through to Alaska airlines and remake their flight plans off the cancelled one but even the weather is making it difficult. For now, we much be patient. It is what it is and safety trumps everything else.

Anonymous said...

Oh, your post was so warm and comforting! Your quote today was fitting as I'm sitting here still thinking about my friend, Kathy. Tomorrow may just be her homecoming day...

Enjoy your family, home, lights, food, and celebration. Merry, merry Christmas to you, my bloggy friend!

qualcosa di bello said...

constance...yes, that peace is what i humbly ask for every morning when i wake...

annie...what your eye sees becomes a source of strength for others...

jennifer...i will keep kathy in my prayers

somepinkflowers said...

oh


how touching
to see my card in you posting...

from across the miles,
from across the time...

JOY!

even in times of heart~ache,
when tested by sorrow
still:

JOY!

:-)

you are so special to see the JOY
every where you go,
even in the clouds
outside your window.

it shines in your own eyes, missy.

JOY!