Memory Work - First Day of Fall

When I was a child ‘memory work’ was very important in school.  As a child, it was a big effort to learn prayers by rote, to memorize perfectly the answers to the questions in our Catechism, and to memorize certain numbers of lines of poetry.

Then later in life I began to understand all the things I had memorized as a child.  The prayers, Catechism answers and poems, were no longer just words strung together but the words I had memorized found their way to my heart.

Trees by Joyce Kilmer, is one of the poems that touches my heart every year as I ponder their awe-inspiring beauty in the Autumn of their lives.  I’ve even found that my memory works best when I sing the poem. 

May these words reach your heart today.

-Sister Elaine Cole, csj

Trees

I think that I shall never see

A poem lovely as a tree.

A tree whose hungry mouth is prest

Against the Earth’s sweet flowing breast;

A tree that looks at God all day,

And lifts her leafy arms to pray;

A tree that may in summer wear

A nest of robins in her hair;

Upon whose bosom snow has lain;

Who intimately lives with rain.

Poems are made by fools like me,

But only God can make a tree.

Joyce Kilmer, 1886-1918

Images: Ricardo Gomez Angel @rgaleriacom | Aaron Burden @aaronburden Unsplash

Life is a Trip

As a former educator, autumn always brings with it the possibility of new beginnings. For me, in many respects, it conjures up a predisposition  for change-making similar to that which arises within me with the approach of New Years Day. The coming of fall repeatedly offers me an opportunity to examine my priorities going forward and make minor adjustments to my personal goals.

The Best Western Hotels, asserts, “Life is a trip. Make the most of it.” This company slogan gifts me with a bit of easily remembered wisdom for my daily living.  It reminds me that no day is ordinary, indeed every day is unique offering me 84,600 seconds of newness. Back to school days, offer all of us a chance to set our inner GPS for where we wish to travel on our life’s trip and how we might make the most of it.

May you have fulfilling autumn days.

-Sister Nancy Wales, csj

IMAGE: Matt @matty10 | Unsplash

Changing Seasons

A few mornings ago, I gingerly opened the drapes to meet the new day only to be greeted by grey skies and unwanted rain.  My heart whispered what I had been thinking all week, “Autumn is on its way; the signs are appearing all around me”.

The stately maple tree viewed from my window is already wearing her fresh orange and golden leaves.  The flower beds are a riot of bright marigolds, tiny yellow mums, and purple chrysanthemums. Even the nearby brown cat tails are spreading taupe stuffing into the air.  It all looks like fall to me.

The calendar points to the beginning of another academic year.  It’s time to purchase new shoes and school wear, and backpacks.  Meanwhile, young adults are packing their belongings and heading off to institutions of higher learning at home and abroad.  Some parents will sigh in relief while others will be apprehensive about facing an empty nest.

Of course, unions know that as school reopens the country and harvesting is in full swing.  It’s the ideal time to strike and pressure government and big business to settle economic disputes and wage disparities.

As autumn 2024 begins on a serious note, we leave idyllic summer memories behind and embrace the unknown future that lies ahead.  As stalwart, concerned citizens, we will continue to work together to build a better world of justice and peace for all.

Autumn Blessings!

-Sister Jean Moylan, csj

Image: Samantha Hare @correliebre/Unsplash

Long Live the Lazy

Regular followers of our blog posts are aware that I have a propensity for using taglines as the starting point for my shared reflections. In that vein,  La-Z-boy furniture company launched its new tagline, “Long Live the Lazy.” Coincidentally, I first heard the now repeated line last Saturday.

Part of my weekly routine is my habit of enjoying a “me day” on Saturdays. Reflecting on the tagline, the word lazy piqued my interest. Professor Google provided me with multiple synonyms for lazy. As you have noticed, many of them have a strong, negative connotation such as slothful, good-for-nothing and negligent. I was a little more committed to being lazy when the professor introduced me to the word otiose. The Oxford Dictionary states the adjective otiose as, “serving no practical purpose or result.” Truthfully, as the term ‘Me Day” indicates, Saturday is my one day to set my list of tasks aside and enjoy a day of leisure, thus availing myself of a set time for living life in the spirit of “Long Live the Lazy.”

This restful otiose approach to life was first recorded in Genesis where God took a “Me Day” also.

-Sister Nancy Wales, CSJ

Image: Angelina Kichukova @anynieel/Unsplash

Unusual Summer Visitors

Yvonne and Steve Houle with their rescue Alpacas.

On a bright and sunny mid-August afternoon, our Sisters gathered in our beautiful, enclosed garden to meet Reuben and Gibson and their expert caregivers, Yvonne and Steve Houle.  These large, elegant alpacas from S.A.M.Y.’s Alpaca Farm and Fabric Studio in Kerwood, Ontario are not traveling animals. They made a special visit in response to a request from a staff member who knows them and their work. 

When the two shy, gentle alpacas were led into the garden, we were awed to see them approach us with a timid, personable stride.   The Sisters were eager to stroke their long necks and offer oat treats which they gently nuzzled from outstretched elderly hands. 

During the afternoon, Steve and Yvonne brought the animals to meet each sister, some of our staff, Hospice staff, and several visitors.  Cellphones quickly appeared to capture the striking scenes of joy and interaction.  Special treats including cooling punch, alpaca-themed napkins and alpaca-shaped sugar cookies kept us fed and hydrated as we watched the alpacas admire their own images in the care centre windows. Throughout the garden, our animal visitors mingled among the fascinated onlookers. 

Steve and Yvonne were generous with their time, answering our many questions.  We learned that alpacas, originally from Peru and Bolivia, have made their way to Canada but not in great numbers.  They are raised for their fiber. May is shearing time, and the fiber is sent from their farm to a mill in North Bay, Ontario where it will be transformed into beautiful, treasured sweaters, etc. In fact, one of our Sisters has an attractive alpaca towel. 

All too soon, it was time for Reuben and Gibson to join the 48-alpaca herd back on the farm.  As we bade farewell to Yvonne and Steve, we were loud in our gratitude for introducing us to another one of God’s beautiful creatures. 

-Sister Jean Moylan, csj