~ Capturing the context of contentment in everyday life ~
Every Thursday, at Like Mother, Like Daughter!
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We took a little trip east this week! Michael had a talk to give at a conference in Rhode Island and it was the perfect opportunity to go and visit my mother and family in Connecticut as well. We were surprised at the beauty of the fall colors as we traveled northeast, as most of the trees in our area have already gone grey and bare. The morning sunlight on the trees in my mother's back yard was just gorgeous. And so many memories in this dear old place. You can see the little house on the left that my father built as a first home for my sister when she got married, and his garages on the right. The back-to-back two garages never actually held cars in my day, but were my father's workshops and storage areas for his many tools, building supplies and the most unique mishmash of salvaged anything and everything. He also built the charming fireplace in the middle, the site of countless picnics and family gatherings over the decades. (Sigh.)
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We were happy to picnic in the historic Roger Williams Park in Providence. The weather was sunny and mild, the trees were beautifully colorful, and there were many sights and scenes to explore. The park was named for the Separatist minister, banished from his Massachusetts colony for his support of religious freedom, and in exile he went on to found the colony at Providence. His belief in the importance of allowing people to worship as they chose made Rhode Island one of the few colonies where the Holy Sacrifice of the Mass was not outlawed.
Also noteworthy was a large and exciting monument of Casimir Pulaski, Father of the American Cavalry, with whom my (slightly Polish) daughters were particularly enamored. It did look thrilling to stand beneath the courageous charging Pulaski mounted upon his thunderous terrifying horse.
We also saw a statue of Abraham Lincoln, charmingly erected by a devoted husband in memory of his obviously loyal and patriotic wife. We attest that Mr. Harvey's memorial is indeed effective, and we contemplated much loyalty and patriotism as we partook of rest and recreation. Such is the beauty of a love of history.
The Providence Cathedral of Saints Peter and Paul was magnificent to behold both outside and in. Sadly, so much destruction of the 'renovations' of (when else?) 1968 were clearly seen on the interior, such as the Tabernacle removed to a side altar and what looked like a gigantic One Ring suspended over a green marble freestanding altar emblazoned with golden fish (?). The Cathedral's website shows many pictures of what it looked like in its proper glory in bygone days. The glorious main architecture remains the same of course, and one can only hope and pray the Tabernacle will one day be restored to its rightful central location, as done by our good bishop in our diocese some years ago.
We proceeded to cheer ourselves up with a lengthy visit to a most fabulous used bookstore.
And we might have celebrated someone's Happy Birthday while visiting family as well.
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Unfortunately the boys were unable to join us on our travels. Josiah did send us off in style by parading with our Papal standard as we left. They later posed for a funny but forlorn picture of the two lonely bachelors eating soup.
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A very real highlight of the trip was my cousin's sharing of a box of memorabilia from her father's military service during World War II. So many, many treasures contained in that plain brown box.
His tiny pocket crucifix carried throughout the war.
His well-worn pocket missal.
This program from Christmas Eve services 1944 in New Guinea. The back page lists the clergy serving for the Midnight Mass.
So many photographs.
And this old Army Song book, containing so very many of our favorite songs we listen to and sing and play just about every day in our house.
There were also letters, documents, passes, ribbons, personal artifacts, prayer books, holy cards and much more. There was a novena holy card of 'Mary's Kneeling Army', signed by a lady who prayed specifically for my uncle, and I marveled at how the prayers of a Mrs. C. Wirth were among the many that doubtless led to my uncle's returning home safe and sound. Needless to say, we could have spent a week poring over the contents of that dear box. We were thankful for the hours that we did have, and especially honored with the packet of letters and pictures (and wonder-of-wonders, my uncle's Brown Scapular!) that we were allotted to keep(!). The rest will go to his direct descendants.
I found this little gem particularly moving:
I like how all of the excellent advice to Catholics is still perfectly true and relevant, and sorely needed, still today. We would all do well to always remember: A man whose eyes are fixed on God as his Last End has no temptation to seek his heaven on earth.
P.S. Hope you plan to join in our All Saints Artist Trading Card Swap! (See post for details.)
Visit the ladies at Like Mother, Like Daughter for more everyday contentment!
