A Keeper

Last night my husband surprised me with a renewal of our vows.  It was beautiful, and sweet and I had no idea.

The plan was to go to dinner for our anniversary, then head to the church for our shift at the all-night prayer vigil.  Many weird things happened yesterday, but after the crazy vacation we had I didn't even notice.  For instance, Frank lives in jeans.  I was wearing jeans and Frank suggested that I change as he was ironing a dress shirt and pants...I know the iron hasn't been used since Christmas. 

We did go to dinner then walked up to church.  I made myself some tea, then went into the parlor not noticing that Frank was all jittery.  As I sat down to meditate with the labyrinth, Frank and Cat finally let me in on the secret.  We were alone, surrounded by flowers,  Cat had made up programs and performed a lovely ceremony including the Eucharist to celebrate our ten years together. 

What a thoughtful and sweet thing for my amazing husband to do.  I do not want jewelry or trinkets, I am practical to a fault and prefer plants for the garden or home improvement items.  Luckily my Frank is a romantic, and always makes me feel like the most beautiful and fantastic woman in the world.  With all the ups and downs over the past 12 years since we met, there is no doubt in my mind I would do it all over again in a heartbeat.

Lesson Learned

Each April vacation we go to Maine with another family for a few days.  This year we should have seen the warning signs...Chuck couldn't come because of a new work schedule, the web site for the resort was not the best and it was Holy Week.  But NO, we pressed on.

On the way there wild turkeys almost caused an accident by landing on our car travelling 65 miles an hour down Route 2 and I said to Frank "I hope this isn't an omen."  But, hey, how bad can a suite on the ocean be?  As we arrived in Old Orchard Beach our concern level increased watching the run down hotels out the window and all the boarded up buildings that are filled with tacky souvenirs in the summer.  But still our optimism shone through. A few restaurants and shops have to be both open and appropriate for people under 21 to enter, right? Wrong. 

Our "resort" could have been used on a scary movie set.  A recent nor'easter had brought the beach into the parking lot, and water into our "living room" through the slider.  The back bedroom and bathroom didn't have heat, the toilet ran constantly and needed to be plunged frequently, eight of us slept on two double and two twin beds, the pool smelled so chemically it was hard to breathe and the dresser in front of the window had the name SUSAN painted on the back with drippy paint...super creepy.  The owners were no help and we had already paid. We were stuck. Luckily the kids were happy to have the beach and a pool, and had no idea how crazy it all was.

 After the children were asleep, and the adults had had a glass of wine, we could see the light.  Millions of people the world over are barely able to keep a roof over their heads and feed their children.  We were lucky enough to be able to vacation anywhere, even if it was this tiny, creepy hotel, it was still on the ocean. And so we laughed.  The adults could not stop laughing.  Every time we discovered another defect we burst into hysterics.  Each morning that we woke up sore from being smooshed all night with springs poking into our backs, we laughed.

 It is Holy Week, the final week of Lent.  A scary, ill equipped hotel is hardly a sacrifice when compared to what Mary and Jesus had been through during this same time.  We had each other and as it turns out, that is all that we needed for a memory filled vacation.

I take my Lenten sacrifice very seriously.  I live a blessed life and constantly remind myself and my children that we have more than most people in the world.  This year, the first for many years, I could not fast for the 40 days.  Instead, I gave up sugar (all sugar in all foods), and every time I had a sip of black coffee or tea it reminded me that I will not have to choose between feeding my children or feeding myself, I will not have to put my life on the line to protect my beliefs, family or country and I will not have to bury my child after a public execution.

I do not think God 'sent' us on this crazy vacation to teach us a lesson, mostly because I do not believe that God has human characteristics.    I do think that God is everywhere and within every living thing, and the same  Spirit that was within Mary and Jesus, is also within you and I.  Jesus was publicly executed for living the best way he knew how, and His mother had to witness it, then bury Him.  As millions of people around the world suffer as Jesus and Mary suffered, denying myself treats and laughing with friends about a vacation gone awry is not suffering at all.  Even if my family had to live in that tiny hotel room for the rest of our lives, our faith and friends bless us more than we can ever measure. Lesson learned.