Full Circle

Post date: Jun 14, 2013 3:58:25 PM

Canon in D is playing in my ears. Visions of our wedding pop in my head. During this song, my bridesmaids were making their walk; my to-be-husband was looking down the aisle past them, for a glimpse of me. This was it. The “prefect” day we had planned. After 8 years of friendship and dating we were going to be joined in a “perfect” ceremony.

Some believe in foretelling events.

Our unity candle would not light. The wax from the two side candles kept pooling up in my perfectly picked out large candle in the center and the wick would not light. We nervously laughed. I tried to use my hand. My “perfectly” picked out gloves! Why was I wearing gloves? We tried. We look at each other. We looked at the crowd gathered. We laughed. We smiled. The priest Fr. (now Monsignor) Dan Deutsch came over and laughed with us and then helped us light the candle.

And thus is the way of our lives: laughter and Christ are how we discover that the imperfection is not imperfect at all. It is a blessing. Once we invited Christ in, things got easier. And once I learned that my idea of “perfection” was not the same as God’s definition of perfection, once I was able to give up the quest for perfection in all things, life became, well, in a word – perfect.

Organ donation and organ transplants are again in the news. The story of a 10 year old getting a new pair of lungs has again brought the need for organ donation to the forefront. And it makes me reflect on our own journey. We invited Christ into our journey. And have continued to do so.

If you have followed along, you know that our daughter Natalie was born with Biliary Atresia after we tried for 3 years to have a child. You know that after 17 months of liver related illnesses she received a portion of my liver (the topic of the lack of organs is best left for another time). You know that she developed PTLD (Post-Transplant Lymphoproliferative Disease) a cancer of the lymph nodes (lymphoma). You know that she had biliary drainage issues and required a long term external stent (she named it “tubie”) that was often times attached to a colostomy bag. And you know that now her portal vein has clotted off, but her own body has created a by-pass. An “imperfect” solution, but one that is going on 4 years! And through it all, we have reminded Natalie of the miracles that God has given her. We have encouraged her to embrace her faith.

This week is Totus Tuus in our church. Totus Tuus is a Catholic youth program dedicated to sharing the Gospel and promoting the Catholic faith through catechesis, evangelization, Christian witness, and Eucharistic worship. Totus Tuus summer camp demonstrates that one can be a faithful Catholic and still have fun.

And so, the other day, when I asked Natalie “what was the best part of your day today?” She replied, “Kat (Katherine, a college student from our church) taught me how to be First Server today!” First server is the lead altar server at our church. I had no idea it was so important to her. I had no idea that she invited Christ into her life, into her heart when I wasn’t even looking.

Don't forget to sign the guestbook.