Monday, May 27, 2013

Memorial Day 2013

 Today is Memorial Day.  A day to reflect and remember those soldiers who have paid the ultimate, unselfish sacrifice of their own lives for the United States of America.  For you, and for me.  I felt that it's only fitting to post the history behind Memorial Day.  The following information was taken from http://www.usmemorialday.org/backgrnd.html

Memorial Day, originally called Decoration Day, is a day of remembrance for those who have died in our nation's service. There are many stories as to its actual beginnings, with over two dozen cities and towns laying claim to being the birthplace of Memorial Day. There is also evidence that organized women's groups in the South were decorating graves before the end of the Civil War: a hymn published in 1867, "Kneel Where Our Loves are Sleeping" by Nella L. Sweet carried the dedication "To The Ladies of the South who are Decorating the Graves of the Confederate Dead" (Source: Duke University's Historic American Sheet Music, 1850-1920). While Waterloo N.Y. was officially declared the birthplace of Memorial Day by President Lyndon Johnson in May 1966, it's difficult to prove conclusively the origins of the day. It is more likely that it had many separate beginnings; each of those towns and every planned or spontaneous gathering of people to honor the war dead in the 1860's tapped into the general human need to honor our dead, each contributed honorably to the growing movement that culminated in Gen Logan giving his official proclamation in 1868. It is not important who was the very first, what is important is that Memorial Day was established. Memorial Day is not about division. It is about reconciliation; it is about coming together to honor those who gave their all. 
General John A. Logan
Library of Congress, Prints & Photographs Division, [LC-B8172- 6403 DLC (b&w film neg.)]
 Memorial Day was officially proclaimed on 5 May 1868 by General John Logan, national commander of the Grand Army of the Republic, in his General Order No. 11, and was first observed on 30 May 1868, when flowers were placed on the graves of Union and Confederate soldiers at Arlington National Cemetery. The first state to officially recognize the holiday was New York in 1873. By 1890 it was recognized by all of the northern states. The South refused to acknowledge the day, honoring their dead on separate days until after World War I (when the holiday changed from honoring just those who died fighting in the Civil War to honoring Americans who died fighting in any war). It is now celebrated in almost every State on the last Monday in May (passed by Congress with the National Holiday Act of 1971 (P.L. 90 - 363) to ensure a three day weekend for Federal holidays), though several southern states have an additional separate day for honoring the Confederate war dead: January 19 in Texas, April 26 in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, and Mississippi; May 10 in South Carolina; and June 3 (Jefferson Davis' birthday) in Louisiana and Tennessee.  In 1915, inspired by the poem "In Flanders Fields," Moina Michael replied with her own poem:

We cherish too, the Poppy red
That grows on fields where valor led,
It seems to signal to the skies
That blood of heroes never dies.

She then conceived of an idea to wear red poppies on Memorial day in honor of those who died serving the nation during war. She was the first to wear one, and sold poppies to her friends and co-workers with the money going to benefit servicemen in need. Later a Madam Guerin from France was visiting the United States and learned of this new custom started by Ms.Michael and when she returned to France, made artificial red poppies to raise money for war orphaned children and widowed women. This tradition spread to other countries. In 1921, the Franco-American Children's League sold poppies nationally to benefit war orphans of France and Belgium. The League disbanded a year later and Madam Guerin approached the VFW for help. Shortly before Memorial Day in 1922 the VFW became the first veterans' organization to nationally sell poppies. Two years later their "Buddy" Poppy program was selling artificial poppies made by disabled veterans. In 1948 the US Post Office honored Ms Michael for her role in founding the National Poppy movement by issuing a red 3 cent postage stamp with her likeness on it.

Traditional observance of Memorial day has diminished over the years. Many Americans nowadays have forgotten the meaning and traditions of Memorial Day. At many cemeteries, the graves of the fallen are increasingly ignored, neglected. Most people no longer remember the proper flag etiquette for the day. While there are towns and cities that still hold Memorial Day parades, many have not held a parade in decades. Some people think the day is for honoring any and all dead, and not just those fallen in service to our country.  There are a few notable exceptions. Since the late 50's on the Thursday before Memorial Day, the 1,200 soldiers of the 3d U.S. Infantry place small American flags at each of the more than 260,000 gravestones at Arlington National Cemetery. They then patrol 24 hours a day during the weekend to ensure that each flag remains standing. In 1951, the Boy Scouts and Cub Scouts of St. Louis began placing flags on the 150,000 graves at Jefferson Barracks National Cemetery as an annual Good Turn, a practice that continues to this day. More recently, beginning in 1998, on the Saturday before the observed day for Memorial Day, the Boys Scouts and Girl Scouts place a candle at each of approximately 15,300 grave sites of soldiers buried at Fredericksburg and Spotsylvania National Military Park on Marye's Heights (the Luminaria Program). And in 2004, Washington D.C. held its first Memorial Day parade in over 60 years.
 To help re-educate and remind Americans of the true meaning of Memorial Day, the "National Moment of Remembrance" resolution was passed on Dec 2000 which asks that at 3 p.m. local time, for all Americans "To voluntarily and informally observe in their own way a Moment of remembrance and respect, pausing from whatever they are doing for a moment of silence or listening to 'Taps."   The Moment of Remembrance is a step in the right direction to returning the meaning back to the day. What is needed is a full return to the original day of observance. Set aside one day out of the year for the nation to get together to remember, reflect and honor those who have given their all in service to their country.  But what may be needed to return the solemn, and even sacred, spirit back to Memorial Day is for a return to its traditional day of observance. Many feel that when Congress made the day into a three-day weekend in with the National Holiday Act of 1971, it made it all the easier for people to be distracted from the spirit and meaning of the day. As the VFW stated in its 2002 Memorial Day address: "Changing the date merely to create three-day weekends has undermined the very meaning of the day. No doubt, this has contributed greatly to the general public's nonchalant observance of Memorial Day."  On January 19, 1999 Senator Inouye introduced bill S 189 to the Senate which proposes to restore the traditional day of observance of Memorial Day back to May 30th instead of "the last Monday in May". On April 19, 1999 Representative Gibbons introduced the bill to the House (H.R. 1474). The bills were referred the Committee on the Judiciary and the Committee on Government Reform.
To date, there has been no further developments on the bill. Please write your Representative and your Senators, urging them to support these bills. You can also contact Mr. Inouye to let him know of your support.

So, take this day to reflect and give thanks to those soldiers and their families that have sacrificed so very much, for each and every one of us.

May God bless you and yours abundantly!

Sunday, May 5, 2013

Gratitude Sunday...

Let me begin by saying...I'm not an optimist by nature so I actually do have to take special note of the blessings all around me. A friend and co blogger (Blessed By God) suggested we do a Gratitude Sunday link up.  I don't have the link up, but I do want to be grateful on a regular basis.  Thank you, Amy, for the wonderful idea!

Prayerfully, this will be my first of many "Gratitude Sunday" blog posts.  Back in November, while still having an active account on Facebook, I posted something each day that month saying what I was grateful for.  I vowed that none of my posts would relate to material things.  I will attempt to do the same thing here.  Posting daily gratitude was a challenge for me.  I'm thinking that on God's Day, it will be much easier.  You will have to wait and see if it holds true.  So, here I go.....

Gratitude for warming temperatures to melt the snow to fill the well.  For remembering that to clean a hairbrush very well is to clean it, and wash it in the washing machine with a load of clothes (a lingerie bag or tied pillow case will help with snagging).  Thank you, Mom!
For the trees that are bursting with buds and the flowers with their beautiful colors and scents...

For the eyesight to take in God's beautiful gifts of nature...

For these and so many others, I am truly grateful!
May God bless you and yours abundantly.

Saturday, May 4, 2013

Many Miracles

In this day and age, people question that miracles happen unless it happens to them personally.  Then is the miracle shared with others?  I would like to share with you three miracles that have taken place in the last 15 years of my life due to the intercession of St. Padre Pio.
Here is a brief background on St. Padre Pio.  The information below was taken from the following link: http://www.catholic.org/saints/saint.php?saint_id=311

Feastday: September 23
1887 - 1968
Canonized By: Pope John Paul II



Francesco, named in honor of St. Francis of Assisi, was born to Giuseppa and Grazio Forgione, peasant farmers, in the small Italian village of Pietrelcina on May 25, 1887. From his childhood, it was evident that he was a special child of God. Francesco was very devout even as a child, and at an early age felt drawn to the priesthood. He became a Capuchin novice at the age of sixteen and received the habit in 1902. Francesco was ordained to the priesthood in 1910 after seven years of study and became known as Padre Pio.

On September 20, 1918, Padre Pio was kneeling in front of a large crucifix when he received the visible marks of the crucifixion, making him the first stigmatized priest in the history of Church. The doctor who examined Padre Pio could not find any natural cause for the wounds. Upon his death in 1968, the wounds were no longer visible. In fact, there was no scaring and the skin was completely renewed. He had predicted 50 years prior that upon his death the wounds would heal. The wounds of the stigmata were not the only mystical phenomenon experienced by Padre Pio.

The blood from the stigmata had an odor described by many as similar to that of perfume or flowers, and the gift of bilocation was attributed to him. Padre Pio had the ability to read the hearts of the penitents who flocked to him for confession which he heard for ten or twelve hours per day. Padre Pio used the confessional to bring both sinners and devout souls closer to God; he would know just the right word of counsel or encouragement that was needed. Even before his death, people spoke to Padre Pio about his possible canonization. He died on September 23, 1968 at the age of eighty-one. His funeral was attended by about 100,000 people.
On June 16, 2002, over 500,000 Padre Pio devotees gathered in Rome to witness Pope John Paul II proclaim Padre Pio, Saint Pio of Pietrelcina. The Padre Pio Foundation and many benefactors traveled to Rome, San Giovanni Rotondo, Pietrelcina, Piana Romana and many other holy places to celebrate Padre Pio's Canonization.

Now onto the three miracles due to the powerful intercession of St. Padre Pio.  The first was in the early years of 2000.  My husband, Tim, went for some doctor ordered stress tests.  One of these tests was a nuclear stress test.  I have been told that these tests are quite accurate and the results of these tests determine next steps for a doctor.  The results of these tests were not good.  Two of my husband's arteries were at least 80% blocked and another one was at least 40% blocked.  A surgical procedure was ordered to remove the blockages and put in stints.  The night before the procedure, I prayed to Padre Pio, asking his intercession.  To some this may seem like a silly thing to do, but to me it was like having a conversation with a trusted friend.  I 'reminded' Padre Pio of the devotion that my husband had always had with him, and asked him to please intercede for my husband and the 'procedure' he would undergo the next day.

On the day of the surgery, my husband and I arrived at the hospital around 5:30 in the morning.  He went through all of the rituals of getting ready for the procedure.  As he was wheeled away for the 'procedure,' I was told that if I left the area to go to the nurses station to get a beeper, just in case they needed to contact me in the event of an emergency.  I decided to grab a bite to eat at the hospital cafeteria and then find the chapel and make a Visit.  God had other plans.  I actually got lost trying to find the cafeteria, and found myself outside the door of the chapel.  I dropped to my knees, and asked Our Lord to please be with Tim during his procedure.

In order for me to find the cafeteria, I had to ask for directions.  I grabbed a cup of coffee and some grits and sat down at a table to read the book I had brought with me.  Suddenly, the beeper went off.  I panicked! It had only been 30 minutes since Tim went into surgery, and was told that the procedure would take at least 2 hours.  Oh dear God, please let Tim be all right.  Every possible fear entered my mind and heart.  I called my best friend, Kathy, told her what was going on and asked her to pray.

As I walked into the area, there was Tim....sitting up and smiling.  I asked him what was going on, and he said that they found nothing when they went in to do the procedure.  "Isn't that amazing?!!" he asked.  I was not surprised.  And immediately said, "Thanks be to God, and the powerful intercession of Padre Pio!"
Miracle #2 that I attribute to St. Padre Pio's intercession.  I was due with our little boy, Matthew, in July 2010.  Because of my "elevated age" several ultrasounds were ordered.  This was common practice for me since I hit my mid 30's.  That's all right with me, since I never tire of seeing a new life in action in the womb.  How truly precious!

During an ultrasound the technician became concerned.  She was unwilling to share anything with me without a doctor present.  When the doctor came in, he stated that there appears to be a hole in the baby's heart and that a pediatric heart specialist would need to perform another ultrasound in about a week.

My next appointment was scheduled, and when I went in the pediatric heart specialist confirmed what was in the past ultrasound. She stated that as my delivery date approached a decision would have to be made as to which hospital I would deliver my child.  So, in two weeks I would have another ultrasound and at that time a decision would be made.

I made my appointment for the next ultrasound.  The night before the ultrasound we were watching EWTN.  One of their little clips before the next show had a picture of Padre Pio.  That's when it hit me....Padre Pio....Tim...heart.....Padre Pio.....little boy due to be born in July.....heart.  So, I quickly whispered, "Padre Pio, please help my unborn baby!"

On the day of my appointment, the technician was taking the ultrasound pictures and saying that the baby is measuring right where he should be, and then called in the pediatric heart specialist.  She was surprised, to say the least, that the hole that was there 2 weeks before was completely gone.  I was not, and whispered a thanks be to God and heartfelt thank you to Padre Pio's intercession!
Matthew Gerard was born 3 weeks early and other than surprising us with his early arrival he was heart healthy.  Thanks be to God!!

Miracle #3 that I attribute to St. Padre Pio's intercession.  On April 11 my husband, after six months of a nagging cough finally agreed to go to the doctor.  His doctor prescribed two things to possibly help with allergies and a chest x-ray, just in case.  On Tuesday of the following week, the doctor called to say that the 2 x-rays showed a shadow and wanted more taken.  So that afternoon, Tim went back for 3 more x-rays of the upper part of his chest and throat.  By the following Tuesday, we still hadn't heard anything so I urged Tim to call the doctor.  Tim was hoping that, "no news was good news."  Personally, I wanted to hear that straight from the doctor's mouth.

The doctor called Tim that afternoon, apologized for taking so long in getting the results to him, but that unfortunately the x-rays did show a shadow.  The list of the "possiblities" of what that shadow could be were ran through.  Ultimately, his doctor ordered a CT Scan.  It would take about 1 1/2 hours for the lab to get the request and then Tim could call to schedule the CT scan.  This was on Tuesday, and when Tim called the appointment was set for Thursday morning (of the same week) at 8:45 am.

I kicked into action by posting prayer requests to all of the groups that I belong to (homeschoolers, yahoo homeschooling groups, and ACTS).  We sat down and told the children that evening and asked them for their prayers.  The older children were concerned, but we tried to reassure them that this is all in God's hands.  As the children played outside in the evening spring air, I was in the kitchen washing the supper dishes.  As I stood there at the sink, with a soapy sponge in one hand and a large dirty cookie sheet in the other, I whispered to St. Padre Pio, "Padre Pio...I know I ask a lot from you, but you never fail with your powerful intecession.  Tim is very worried about the CT Scan tomorrow.  Please intercede for him, please....if it be God's Will."

On Thursday morning we arrived at the radiology area at 8:40 am.  We sat and waited until 9:30 before Tim was called in.  During our waiting time I tried to make small talk to keep his mind off of things.  We found out that turkey hunting season ends on the last Saturday of the month.  A few years back a good friend of ours, Curt, died from lung cancer.  Tim said that he'd been thinking about him alot lately.  I told him to ask Curt's intercession.  Then I said, "How about St. Jude, St. Raphael," (St. Jude is who he took when he was baptized and St. Raphael when he was confirmed).  I continued, "Don't forget St. Rita.  She and St. Jude are both saints of impossible cases.  And there's St. Anthony, the patron saint of miracles....St. Padre Pio.  Your Dad. And don't forget baby Mary," (the little girl that I miscarried in 2007.)  That brought a tear to his eye.  I tried to reassure Tim that everything is in God's hands and it will all be fine.

When he was finally called in, the CT Scan took less time that our waiting for him to go in.  He told me that the doctor will have the results of the CT Scan either that afternoon or the next day.  Originally we were told that it would be 2 to 3 days before we found out anything.

That same afternoon we were waiting for the phone to ring.  Each time it did, we wondered if it was the doctor or not.  Finally, the doctors office did call...but it wasn't the doctor.  All I could hear Tim say was, "Really?! No kidding?!"  When he got off of the phone he said that there was NOTHING on the CT Scan.  Cheers of joy rang throughout the house!!  I was thanking God, and thanking Padre Pio for his powerful intercession.

Then the phone calls were made, emails and texts were sent.  A true miracle!!

During this time with Tim's last incident, my daughter, Laura, and I started a novena to St. Padre Pio.  There is a wonderful prayer, to the Sacred Heart, that we ended the novena with.  Both of us were only on day 2 of the novena, yet continued it in thanksgiving for the answer to our prayers.  Here is the prayer to the Sacred Heart:

 
O most holy heart of Jesus, fountain of every blessing, I adore you, I love you, and with lively sorrow for my sins I offer you this poor heart of mine. Make me humble, patient, pure and wholly obedient to your will. Grant, Good Jesus, that I may live in you and for you. Protect me in the midst of danger. Comfort me in my afflictions. Give me health of body, assistance in my temporal needs, your blessing on all that I do, and the grace of a holy death. Amen.
 
 
May God bless you and your abundantly!