February 22, 2009

Spring Warming

The daffodils are in bloom! Maybe my heart's warmth in anticipation of spring will turn the weather soon. One spring day with three windy days and two frosty mornings following. I will be excited when the warmer days begin to outnumber the colder ones.

I am almost fully recovered from the respiratory flu/cold that grabbed me a week and a half ago. After two days of making it through, I did end up taking a sick day from work. Kate couldn't understand why I wasn't taking them earlier. There's just something about my make-up that doesn't like to miss a day. I remember in Kindergarten sitting in the car with my mom at the bus stop hot with fever and crying as she tried to talk me into staying home. The chocolate milk bribe did eventually work. Or the time I cleaned up my own throw-up so no one would know I wasn't well. Too bad I didn't remember to clean up the towels. Although, with a field trip the next day, there was no way I was going to be talked into staying home that time.

This time around I did nothing but sleep for two and a half days. I got my stretch breaks walking to the kitchen for food and back. But, sleep is a great healer. That and some Vitamin C.

Sr. Jean came and stayed the weekend with Kate and me. Jean is the leadership liaison assigned to vocation/formation. She came Friday and stayed through the second mass this morning. I gave her a tour of Ripley and afterwards we walked around the lake to have time to chat. Jean, Kate, and I chatted Saturday evening. While it is very different than the novitiate in that my director does not live with me and my check-ins are more spaced out, there are still pieces of accountability and discernment in this stage of the process. I realize (again) more and more how much I still have to learn in terms of community and ministry and life, and it is great to have such wonderful mentors both assigned and just naturally in my life as examples and with whom to reflect.

And so begins the week. School, track practice, dentist appointment, Ash Wednesday--WHAT?! Yeah, Lent begins. How that can possibly be, I'm not sure. God and I will have to talk about what that time of preparation and turning will mean this year. God, full of grace and challenge and surprises, will be no different this time around, I'm sure. So, may the anticipation of spring warm the spaces of life in need of a little warmth.

Peace.
--Sarah

2 comments:

  1. Hi Sarah,

    I'm sorry you're not feeling well. I hope this flu doesn't linger.

    I wanted to let you know that I enjoy checking in on your blog every now and then and reading about your experience. It is different not living with my director but it's good either way. I've had my challenges but encouraging sharing during common prayer has done wonders for me.

    Keep up the good work. I'm thankful you're keeping up your blog.

    God Bless,

    Roselli

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  2. Sarah,
    We can now get into your blog. I'm sorry you've been sick, and I hope you're fully recovered. I know that feeling of going into the classroom half dead. That's the way we "oldsters" were taught. It was a long time before I took a sick day except after surgery, when I had to.
    I have a lot of catching up to do with your blogs. I read your August 2009 blogs and will go back now and then to see what I've been missing.
    Love,
    Mary Ann H.

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