It's a Marvelous night for a Moondance...

  I just got back from a mad-dash to the video store.  I may be the only person on the face of the earth still kowtowing to the almighty late-fee.  I was dreading this particular run because it was dark...and cold.  When it came time to face the dastardly time-crunch trek I ended up crouched over in the drivers-seat peering through a 1"x3" portal view of the road.  Of course tonight  would be frost's perfectly timed first appearance on my windshield this season. 

  It only took 3/4 of the trip there for the defroster to work it's magic and I was sitting tall again.  The cool temperature mixed with the elated surge of success I experienced as I launched the DVD through the return slot with one full minute to go sent me on my merry way wishing good will to all men.  As a matter of fact, I suddenly was not ready to rush right home.  I by-passed my Avenue and headed to the nearest convenience store for a late-night half cappuccino mixed with house blend coffee.  I don't know what I was thinking- except that the dread of the cold-night air had dissipated and left a holiday flare of anticipation.  I sipped my coffee while waiting for the red-light to change when low and behold the time-honored "Frosty the Snowman" began to play on my radio. Now I had the defroster, the coffee and visions of my kids building snowmen and sipping hot chocolate to warm me as I headed for home.

  This had been the perfect ten-minute fresh-aired adventure.  It gave me a whole new perspective from the haze I was in as I tucked my kids in then flew the coop to return the rented video.  Not bad return on an errand run.  I think I would have missed out on more than the $3.59 late fee had I skipped this dash from the ordinary into the chilled-wonder that seeps into our world the week before Thanksgiving.  As I prepare to head into the week making sure I have two pumpkin pies made for dessert at brother Stephen's house and two desserts ready for our feast at Bushia's (hubby's side) house...it's nice to know there is STILL so much to be thankful for in the seemingly ordinary--if I just take the time to breathe in and acknowledge my surroundings. +

HUG (by Diane Ghallager)

 (Guest Blogger Wednesday :)   My 1 yr old’s favorite book right now (thank you Aunt Chris!) is titled “Hug” – and that is the only word in the entire book.  It is an endearing story told mostly through illustrations about a little monkey named Bobo who watches the other jungle babies hugging their Mommies but can’t find his.  You can imagine his joy when he is reunited with his mother at the end.  A very simple yet real message.  We all need hugs and affection, probably more than lots of words.  I am not a big hugger by nature.  I have deep feelings for people but am not always comfortable expressing it externally.  That coupled with the craziness of life sometimes inhibits me from reaching out to my husband, children, family and friends in this physical display of affection.  Fortunately, my kids take after their Dad and are big snugglers.  I am so often in business mode and focus more on logistics when I am interacting with people instead of physically reaching out.  This may sound completely pathetic to some of you more touchy/feely types, but I have to sometimes mentally remind myself to hug my older children before I run out the door or stop my dinner prep to go greet my husband.  I will admit, my hugs come more naturally with my little ones who are so cuddly.  Though it is not my strong suit, I do believe in the importance of hugs and think they can often be the best medicine… and worth a thousand words.  After a recent Diocesan football championship game (we lost by 1 pt!), there was a poignant moment when the starting quarterback for our team walked over to his mother on the sidelines and simply hugged her.  I don’t know if words were exchanged, but they didn’t need to be.  He was deflated, and she comforted him with the best remedy a mother can offer… a hug. 

I wonder if this is why some people can find it more challenging to develop a more personal relationship with Jesus.  We like to hug flesh and blood which we cannot do with God in the ways we humans know and appreciate best.  Yes, we know He loves us.  He sends us signs and answers our prayers.  He speaks to us through others, and we receive Him in the Eucharist, but we can’t literally hug Him like we can those among us on earth.  My pastor encourages us after we receive communion to close our eyes and allow Jesus to hug us.  He does this at every Mass.  As a result, I try to do this with my kids – I ask them to sit and close their eyes and imagine Jesus hugging them.  With my 3 yr old, I will even take her upon my lap and suggest that she pretend I am Jesus who is hugging her…to help make it real and tangible and comforting.  I need to be able to hug Jesus, not talk at Him or complain or ask or thank.  Just hug.  And I need to allow Jesus to hug others through me, not just my 3 yr old sitting on my lap after communion.  Big, tough football players need hugs and little monkeys like the one in Elly’s favorite book do too.  Simple act and simple message with big results.  Just hug. :)