Thursday, November 24, 2016

A life torn asunder...


I found this engagement announcement years ago after my mother passed away. I had inherited the “trunk” with all of the family heirlooms and photos. When I first saw the fragile news clipping, I thought nothing of it really. I assumed it had gotten torn somehow and my mom had saved it nonetheless.

Years later, while going through the trunk, I saw a different fragile news clipping. It was a reflection of a broken heart, a broken woman, and the life she had imagined torn asunder. She most likely carefully and deliberately tore the piece right down the middle and replaced it in a box of photos.

No accident here. It was a message. A statement. Perhaps a legacy.

Saturday, September 10, 2016

Fearfully and wonderfully made...


in the secret of darkness

before I saw the sun

in my mother’s womb

~Psalm 139:14

Dear little Boe,

You are a miracle. A gift. Someone new to love and long to hold. A bundle of sweet smells and warm cuddles. You have us all in awe and wonder.

Sunday, May 8, 2016

The Mom Void


It’s Mother’s Day and it seems appropriate that I would be channeling my mother in the kitchen this weekend. Tabouli, Hummus, Baba Ghannouj- salt, allspice, cinnamon, garlic, tahini, eggplant, and parsley dripped and splashed everywhere! You can’t make Lebanese food without making a mess, using your hands and taste testing along the way. The sterile kitchen police would have me under arrest.

My daughter in law is craving Lebanese food for my little Lebanese grandson still nesting just under her heart. A new little Shaheen boy in the works. My mom would be beside herself! Another man to cook for!

I found my place very early in life next to my mother in the kitchen. I had no choice really. I just grew up in there with my own apron and stepping stool, stirring the rice pudding, chopping the parsley and washing the dishes. Sometimes all at the same time.

Friday, March 25, 2016

Special Delivery


The tracking number stated that my mini chandeliers had been delivered yesterday to my front porch! At 8pm last night I looked again…

Front porch, back porch, neighbor’s porch… no packages.

This morning I pulled up the email to get the customer service phone number and there it was in black and white. Delivered to my old house on Del Monte Avenue.

Panic set in.. The new owners have sprawled “return to sender” on everything they have received with my name on it- even though I left them my email and phone number in case of said scenario.

Thursday, February 18, 2016

The Church of Soul Cycle


We mount our bikes and get ready for a hardy workout. The room is dim but the stage is elevated and illuminated to spotlight the empty bike from where our instructor, Ian, will be leading our 45 minute session of blood, sweat, tears and redemption. We are warming up, adjusting our seats, and preparing our souls in anticipation.

Enter Ian left stage. He is ripped and torn and fit as a fiddle with a dashing smile and a charismatic personality.

“Who has not been to Soul Cycle before?”

“Who has not been to MY class?”

Wednesday, February 10, 2016

Loved!


Today we celebrated Ash Wednesday at Presentation High School. To non-Catholics, this must be the weirdest cult practice that one has ever experienced! Being doused with ashes in the shape of a cross and being told to turn from sin and live the gospel. The scriptures proclaimed at Mass today told us that we are forgiven and loved and invited to be our best selves! These students certainly look happy, don’t they?

I’m so proud of my Catholic faith. It has really emerged as a positive force in this troubled world. Our Pope has taken great pains in living a simple life and rejecting the pomp and circumstances of Vatican City. We are encouraged, during the season of Lent- the forty days and nights before Easter- to do something positive in our lives rather than give something up.

Be kind. Serve the poor. Love your neighbor.

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