Week of December 26, 1999
Dee T.

"I am the resurrection and the life.
He who believes in Me will live, even though he dies."
John 11:25,

In 1965, my two oldest daughters (then 1-3/4 years and 9 months) and I traveled to Chicago from Missouri to be with my Mom at the very beginning of December. My mother had been diagnosed with terminal cancer and had been hospitalized since the middle of November. Each day, my children and I bundled up and walked a couple of miles (the children had the luxury of a buggy, I had the muscles to push) to my sister's home where they stayed while I went off by bus to the hospital.

There was no Christmas shopping of any amount, no tree to prepare, no Christmas cards to be written, and no parties to attend. There was the packing of an apartment, sorting and dividing my mother's things, and lots of thinking. On the way to and from the hospital by bus, there was the opportunity to watch. I watched the many people hurrying and scurrying mostly with tired, worn out or angry faces and I wanted to shout, "Stop! This isn't what it is all about!"

For I was given a very special gift that year...the gift of peace. It was a peace that I had never experienced before nor have I totally captured since for I have returned to the route of too much shopping, too many Christmas cards to write, too much running, and not enough time set aside to find the precious gift of peace.

On Christmas Day that year, we had a wonderful visit with my mother and on December 26 she passed away asking God to take her because she was ready. A peace existed that passed all understanding!

Gracious heavenly father, this week as we prepare to celebrate your glorious gift to us, help us to set aside some time for quietness and stillness that we might truly find the gift of peace which you offer and in turn help us to reach out to others in peace. In your name. Amen.

Contributed by Dee T.
Sunday December 26, 1999
Liturgical Year B Week 5