Ode to Joy!

Hey Everyone!

I was telling someone this week that the people who get you through the roughest parts of your life are often the ones you develop the deepest love for. I had been thinking about the darker parts of my life and realized that, during those times, I never got what I wanted but I was always given what I needed. There was always someone to help me make it through the day-to-day stuff, even when I barely noticed their presence. It seems, though, that when the skies clear and circumstances improve, you suddenly find the eyes to see the people who were standing beside you all along.

It's easy to miss the little things- to believe, mistakenly, that we're not being noticed, loved, or comforted. We can only hope to never take those little things, those little gifts, and those special people for granted. It's not an easy thing to do.

I was thinking about the people I left behind in Maryland, and New York before that. I am incredibly blessed that I am free to go and to do whatever I want whenever I want; the biggest struggle in my life seems to be the TYRANNY OF FREEDOM ... and that isn't too bad! But I miss my family and friends when I slow down and give myself a moment to reflect on what is most important to me. It's always a lot harder than I think it'll be to leave them behind.

This is for all my friends who gush over cats.

I am blessed, not only with freedom, but also with the gift of being able to love very easily. While I struggle sometimes, loving others is something that comes very naturally to me. I love loving people- it's the only thing that makes any sense to me sometimes.

For that reason, traveling and moving about has always suited me pretty well. I made two new families while in Europe- one in Denmark, one in Ireland, and nothing gave me more joy than to make their friends and neighbors my own. With Cabrini Mission Corps, I now have over 300 new family members! The Cabrini Sisters are on 6 continents and in 16 different countries. The world is getting bigger, but I am still only one person. While I am having an unbelievable time running around and meeting new people and Sisters, I could never forget who I am or where I came from. Or who loved me first. 

Now I know that I went a little overboard here with the collages, but I wanted to make them so that when I'm being silly and forget how much God loves me, I will have a place to look and remind myself of just how many people have come into my life to lend me strength when I was feeling weak. Now, be advised that some seriously KEY people are missing from here- my professors, my doctors, some of my best friends from childhood, ... my mom (sorry, mom!)- there were phases of my life when I was camera happy, and phases of my life where I looked like I didn't quite fit into my nose and therefore had absolutely no desire whatsoever to be photographed. Today I am grateful to have had all of these beautiful people in my life. They all contributed a little part of themselves, and made me who I am today.

I carry them with me, always. I will love them, always.

 I want to thank you, Gracious Lord,
    for the good friends you give me;
    they are for me a priceless bounty.
Thanks to them, friendship is neither an abstraction,
    nor a distant, almost impossible, dream.
I owe to your providence, Lord,
    the possibility of counting on
    the constant help of friends.
Between me and them you have formed a solid bridge,
    which can withstand all threats of destruction.
The happiness with which you have blessed us
    enables us to enrich one another.
Lord, there was something astonishing,
    almost mysterious,
    in the way I met my friends;
    it was always outside the expected pattern.
But you alone know the reasons
    that drew us closer together.
This surprise and joy are refreshing,
    and I experience them anew
    at every step of my life.
I promise to do everything in my power
    to deserve this precious gift
    that you have reserved for me.
I ask you, Gracious Lord, to keep them safe in your hands,
    for they are yours above all.
Amen.

Who are you grateful for today?

Love Always,

Gina