Originally published in the 2026 Winter Edition of Soul Gardening. “Bless us, oh Lord, and these thy gifts…” Growing up Catholic and now raising a family of my own, saying grace before meals is an important tradition ingrained in my being. So much so, that I’ve been known at times to forget that I’ve said …
Last week I attended a ‘prayer shower’ for a friend expecting her second child. Unlike a traditional baby shower, the focus wasn’t on gifts. Instead, we simply gathered at a local park, laid down a few blankets, and prayed the Rosary while children played. The morning was organized by a mutual friend, whose sister hosted …
Growing up, I remember the overwhelming joy of waking up Christmas morning. That full-body rush of feeling, knowing that this was about to be the Best Day Ever. And without fail, it was. Waking up twenty-four hours later, however, there was the post-Christmas let down. All the fun – the presents, the food, the parties …
A few months ago I sat at our kitchen table, burning the midnight oil as I completed yet another medical intake form. A newly diagnosed chronic health issue had me spending pretty much all my ‘free time’ researching my condition, prepping for appointments, and Zooming with my doctors. In front of me lay an eight-page …
This story was written as a guest post for Chalice US, a Catholic charity which sponsors children and families in need throughout the world. Perhaps it’s obvious that blessings should spill from a First Communion. But our family could not have anticipated the truly grace-full story that follows. Our eldest son’s First Communion was a blessed …
