Have no anxiety at all, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, make your requests known to God. Then the peace of God that surpasses all understanding will guard your hearts and minds in Christ Jesus.
Phil 4:6-7



Thursday, May 31, 2012

(5/31)...streaming



Before I post my very last "Every Day in May for Mary," I have a confession to make. In case you didn't notice.

I failed. I missed yesterday. 'Twas not "Every day in May." I feel like a big loser saying "Every day in May" and then missing one day. I know I made 29 days in a row, but I missed one. I'm a glass half empty kinda girl, I guess. One part fail makes a whole fail.

I'm going to blame my daughter for going and getting the first summer cold and it's not even summer yet, really. I made her stay in bed all day yesterday because Noah is taking final exams this week, and Joshua next week, and neither needs a cold. Her eyes were leaking, for goodness sake. It seemed body fluid was coming from everywhere. And I was schlepping trays up and down stairs, delivering nourishment (Ramen noodles, bleh) and entertainment.

I know. It's my own fault. All I can say it I was working on rosaries for much of the day, in between up and down stairs with trays,  so I know Our Lady forgives me. And besides, I do think Jesus was the only one reading after day five or so.

I did just say Jesus reads my blog, and I don't mean every day, but definitely when I post about His mother.

Appropriately, or maybe not, today my husband is putting in the ground my very brand new Wayside Shrine. I am so excited (I know, I should get a life -- but this is good to be excited about).

I say appropriately because it is May 31 (still May) and it is the Feast of the Visitation. And, I say maybe not, because this is my Mother's Day gift and it did not come on Mother's Day, it came yesterday, and my husband did not even tell me that it was on its way on Mother's Day, he just didn't give me a gift and I thought it was because I was a very bad mother (actually I didn't I just thought he was a very bad husband). That was a very long run-on sentence, but I would have said it just like that. Ok? Ok.

Anyway, it's a beautiful cedar Wayside Shrine and I can't wait for you to see it out in my new garden by the new steps. Photos coming soon -- like tomorrow...or...soon.



24 comments:

  1. I am like that too. If I miss one day of prayers in a novena, well then, none of the prayers counted, right? Are you by chance the oldest daughter? I tend to think of it as an oldest daughter problem. Anyway, can't wait to see your shrine! The website pictures are lovely! And I don't think I read every day's post just because I've found myself "marking all as read" in my Google reader more than I like to these days, but I read most. I just don't often have the free hands to comment anymore. Or by the time I do have my hands free, I've forgotten what I wanted to say. Have a wonderful belated Mother's Day! And shame on your hubby for not giving you an inkling of a hint that something was coming! Think of all the anticipation he could have been building... or the torturous guessing he could have made you do.

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  2. There's just so much I could say...but I'll be nice. ;-) Your daily posts were lovely and very thought-provoking, though I'll admit to preferring the shorter ones. If you read what you wrote, about what you were doing, I think Mary will totally understand, because you were serving her in everything you did yesterday. And maybe she wanted to spare you the Pride you would have felt if you had accomplished your lofty goal!

    You're beautiful, and your husband is a sweetheart. Make sure you let him know! That's a gorgeous shrine.

    Happy Visitation!

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  3. Oldest child, only daughter. Doubly cursed. ;-)

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  4. Hope your little one feels better soon.

    I have enjoyed everyday in May!

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  5. Sara,
    Not fair. You can not limit your comments to nice ones. Well, you can, but you can't tell me you might have said something else. :-P

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  6. Thanks, Christine. You're sweet.

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  7. I know all about those Oldest Daughter problems :) It's FINE. You did what you needed to be doing. I think your series was wonderful and yes, I was reading (through a reader a lot of the time, but I was reading) but yesterday? Your daughter needed you more.

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  8. Ooo! I can't wait to see your pics. What a lovely gift.

    I hope your little miss feels better soon.

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  9. I wasn't really going to say anything not nice----just lecture you about being nice to my friend! :-)

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  10. Only daughter, oldest child, here too....can't wait to see your shrine!

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  11. Are you really beating yourself up about one day missed? Barbara, that's terrible. You are a child of God, a beautiful, beloved woman, who gives glory and honor to her God and King - and His Blessed Mother - as often as she can. It seems to me that to treat yourself so harshly over such a small failure is to brush aside God's love for you as a small and petty thing. And I know you wouldn't want to do that... would you? ;-)

    With love,
    Jennie

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  12. Ditto Jennie's comments. And I'm an oldest daughter, too, but I forgive myself my failures. My husband is oldest child, oldest son, so he is the one who can't get over his own imperfections.

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  13. Oh dear Barbara, please don't be so hard on yourself! You said "Every Day in May for Mary" - surely caring for your family and making rosaries is also "for Mary". God wants everything from us, even our 'imperfections'.
    But like I said, I wouldn't see it as a failure at all. I'm the youngest daughter of a youngest daughter - perhaps that explains some of my shortcomings, which have nothing to do with perfectionism (ahem).
    Blessed First Friday to you, and I can't wait to see your shrine - the pictures on that site are Gorgeous!

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  14. Well, Barb, yes you are right. She most definitely needed me more than the computer did. ;-)

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  15. Thanks, Kelly. I am starting to wonder if her "cold" is allergies. We see the allergist on June 20. She has never been tested and I can't wait. It may be the answer to a lot of questions. Or not. :-)

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  16. Cheryl, Charlotte, I'm so glad we had this chat, because it explains so much. You have no idea. Well, yes you do.

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  17. Jennie,
    You are a dear friend. I promise I did not self-flagellate for my failing. I did, however, spend a lot of time mentally beating myself up for forgetting. And if you think that's bad you should see when I really mess up. Fortunately I do not look for perfection in every area of my life. I do, however, think there must be something to that oldest daughter or oldest child thing. Not an intentional thing created by my poor mother, but it's there in almost every oldest child/daughter I have ever met. I do truly believe God expects me to to try to be perfect. I also believe He loves me just as much when I am not. But if I brush aside my imperfections as nothing, then, well...you see my quandary. I think most of the saints who did truly beat themselves up (physical self-flagellate) must have been oldest children.

    Love you, dear.

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  18. Michelle,
    I forgive too. I just don't forget. ;-)

    It's a good thing you are not the oldest child -- your children would need therapy. I married a middle child -- he forgives (and forgets) all mistakes!

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  19. Kimberlee,
    Thank you for that perspective. I never thought about all of my other sacrifices Per Matrem ad Filium.

    God bless.

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  20. No way! Well, you are infinitely wiser than I, my sweet.

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  21. Haha...I blog like I talk too. It's more personal. =) No reason to be all formal or anything. So...me too..coming down w/ the cold. Grr. Oh well. My sis in law brought it over and now the baby and I have it. I feel like I've been swimming underwater all day. Oh well. There's a cupcake shop not five minutes from my house. I am going to blog about it, and I think I need more pictures, and I think I need to do a little more research on which cupcake is my favorite...so I'll be heading up there this weekend. ;) Nothing like a cupcake to make me forget about the cold.

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I appreciate your comments -- sometimes I feel like I'm talking to myself!