The big weekend is almost here. My daughter is coming home from Florida where's she's been with my parents, and my dad is coming along to stay for a few days. My 2 uncles, wives and cousins are all driving in from various parts of the country as well. Our family being Irish, getting together is a big deal for us, especially since it doesn't happen very often now that we're older with families of our own.

The reason everyone is coming in? On Sunday we are all driving down to Covington, Ky. to see my great aunt who I believe is 92 years old. She is a Mother Superior at the convent in Covington, and will be celebrating her Golden Jubilee. She dedicated her life to the calling at an early age, and has been a nun for 75 years. What a commitment! What a calling! I can't even begin to imagine such a calling and having whatever it takes to give your entire life to the church.

She is the kindest most gentle person I know, you can literally feel the presence of God like a visible aura when you are around her. At least that's what I feel.

Our family is of extended denominations, but we all believe in the One True God, which brings us even closer and has never caused a rift between any of us. We realize there may be a different name on the church door, various ways of worship, and man's inerpretations from the Word on how to live, but we also understand it comes down to a personal relationship with God surpassing the laws and tenets of denominatitonal trends, and our faith is what's important and binds us together. 

So it is with joyous anticipation we await Sunday's celebration, where we will attend a special Mass followed by a reception for Sister Mary. Though all of us will be together, I am going to take the time in Mass for a reflection on my own life and where God has brought me from, with a spirit of thankfulness for the surrounding of family and the celebration...not of a person...but of her life commitment to God.

I can hardly wait to get through work today so the gathering can begin.

There is no greater human love than that of family. Blood truly is thicker than water, running deep in our spiritual veins, sustaining us, lifting us, sharing the ups and downs, crying together, and laughing even more at old stories and past rememberances.

Have a blessed day everyone!